Brain rot is a modern slang term that has gained a significant amount of popularity, especially among Gen-Z and Gen Alpha, largely due to the influence of social media apps. These words are mainly used by younger generations, which leaves many adults unable to understand their meaning, leading to a communication gap.
What’s more concerning, is the impact that this slang has on students’ education. This new vocabulary continues to spread across all grade levels and is becoming an increasingly disruptive force in the classroom, affecting students’ ability to engage with content in a clear way.
Terms like alpha, skibidi, and aura have played a significant role in enhancing communication, making it more inclusive and accessible for all types of students with all types of backgrounds.
By introducing these words, students are now able to engage with ideas in a more relatable and understandable way, creating an environment where classmates can easily grasp and connect with the discussions within classrooms despite coming from different backgrounds.
Whitney McKay is the counselor at Johnson Elementary school and sees this use of vocabulary when she works with students. These words have become a distraction for children which has even led to Johnson having to ban them.
“Before we had a computer in our hand every minute of the waking day, ways to connect revolved around ports, church, and after school activities. There was often a disconnect between those below the poverty line and families who live well above it. Now everybody watches the same people and they can all talk about it together,” McKay said.
Because brain rot is a common distraction among younger children, many may believe that it is a vocabulary used by students who are less mature. This, however, is not the case. It’s a connection within the younger generations despite different levels of education.
Kevin Nieporte is a social studies teacher at Highlands Middle school. He is able to see firsthand how often students at this age use brain rot.
“It’s a form of communication, I mean, they’re trying to fit in.They’re just trying to answer in a language that we don’t know, which is fine,” Nieporte said.
At the elementary level, brain rot may be more present, however, this unusual vocabulary is still popular among higher grade levels. Throughout the high school brain rot is seen more as a connection within the student body rather than a distraction in the classroom.
“I think they have to communicate with one another and I like when the kids are actually talking to one another and instead just writing, so I think there is something about the unity that it brings together,” Highlands High School German teacher, Kristin Wilson, said.
The major downside to the brain rot type of vocabulary is the communication gap between the older generations. Oftentimes, they do not know the meaning of these words, leaving it up for the younger generations to present a teaching setting for vocabulary.
“Sometimes it’s hard to understand what they are saying. But again, since I’m teaching a language, I’m like, I teach you a language and then you teach me what you’re saying,” Wilson said.
The main reason adults are unable to understand these words is because to be able to learn and understand this new language, students have to spend a significant amount of time online within these popular social media platforms.
TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube alike all contribute to understanding the complex plethora of words.
“I think screen time affects two things in particular with the students I serve: their attention spans and their ability to manage boredom. Kids can no longer sit and listen to a teacher at the front of the room,” McKay said.
Despite these significant issues with brain rot, it is the new form of communication for the younger generations. It’s what’s replacing words like rad, fetch, and dope. It works to connect children of all ages in a way that only that can understand.
