Anti-Social Trends Among Students

Emerging anti-social trends among students are raising concern among educators and mental health professionals, as increased screen time, social media dependency, and post-pandemic isolation contribute to declining interpersonal skills and emotional resilience. Many students now struggle with face-to-face communication, conflict resolution, and empathy, often opting for digital interactions over meaningful, in-person connections. This shift has led to a rise in social anxiety, bullying through online platforms, and a general disengagement from collaborative classroom activities. Schools are witnessing more instances of withdrawal, behavioral issues, and a lack of community among peer groups. As these patterns continue to develop, educators are being called to implement intentional strategies that rebuild social skills, foster positive relationships, and promote emotional well-being in the school environment.

Anti-Social Trends Among Tweens: A Guide for School Staff (2025)

Purpose: This guide is intended to help school staff understand current slang and social trends among tweens (ages 9–12) that may signal exclusion, bullying, or emotional distress.

🔥 Anti-Social Trends to Watch

1. Exclusionary Group Chats

• Students form group chats that intentionally leave out others.

• Sometimes used to gossip or isolate peers.

2. Soft Blocking / Ghosting

• Cutting off contact digitally without explanation.

• Common in games, social platforms, and texting.

3. "Ratio" Culture

• Using likes/comments to "ratio" someone (i.e., prove them wrong or unpopular).

4. Canceling Peers

• Publicly shaming or socially isolating someone for a mistake or rumor.

5. Mocking Mental Health

• Flippant or sarcastic use of terms like “OCD,” “depressed,” etc.

• May signal misunderstandings or internalized stigma.

😞 Common Derogatory Slang & Meanings

Term	Meaning	Example
NPC	"Non-playable character" (boring, weird)	"He’s just an NPC in class."
L + Ratio	You lost socially	"You got L + ratioed."
Cringe	Embarrassing or awkward	"That presentation was cringe."
Try-hard	Someone putting in too much effort	"Stop being a try-hard."
Rizz-less	Lacking charm/confidence	"He’s so rizz-less."
Goofy	Silly or weird (mild insult)	"You look goofy in that hoodie."
Pick me	Tries too hard to gain attention	"She’s such a pick me girl."
Sigma	Tries to be tough/independent	"Look at him, acting all Sigma."
Skibidi	Random/chaotic/weird behavior	"You’re acting Skibidi today."
Bozo	Clown or fool	"Don’t be a bozo."
Op	Opposition/enemy	"He’s an op, don’t trust him."
Karen	Tattletale, overreacting	"She’s being a total Karen."
Ligma/Sugma	Joke bait terms	(Used to trick into saying inappropriate words)

🧬 Tips for Staff:

• Listen for context: Many of these terms are said casually but can escalate.

• Promote empathy: Teach digital and emotional literacy to combat exclusion.

• Encourage open dialogue: Let students know it's okay to talk about how words make them feel.

• Involve parents: Share this guide during meetings or newsletters.

Need Support? Reach out to your school counselor, social-emotional learning (SEL) lead, or behavior team for resources and training on navigating tween social culture.

Prepared by: Tactical Advantage Group | School Safety Support and Crisis Education | 2025

🔎 TRENDS & TERMS TO WATCH: Anti-Social Behavior in Middle & High School Culture

2025 Staff Awareness Guide

🚫 Common Anti-Social Trends

Trend	Description	Why It Matters
Sigma / Alpha Behavior	Rejects emotions, promotes dominance or cold independence	Undermines teamwork, empathy, SEL
NPC Labeling	Calling peers “non-player characters” (robotic, unimportant)	Dehumanizing, linked to social exclusion
Clout Chasing	Recording fights, pranks, or teacher reactions for views	Fuels disruption, violates privacy
Devious Licks	Vandalism or theft as trend/flex	Loss of property, disrespect of school space
Dark Humor / “It’s just a joke”	Joking about violence, mental health, or school shootings	Normalizes dangerous topics, blurs red flags
Fake Diagnoses	“I have ADHD/OCD” used casually or for attention	Minimizes real struggles, spreads misinformation
Avoidant Apathy	“I don’t care” mindset, disengagement	Blocks relationships, feedback, growth
Toxic Online Influences	Misogyny or manipulation from online figures	Shapes disrespect, control behaviors
Ghosting / Cut-off Culture	Abrupt friendship/social avoidance	Fosters emotional disconnection

💬 Trending Slang with Red Flags

Term	Meaning	Concern
L / W	Loss or Win	Used to mock peers
Mid	Boring/average	Dismisses effort or interests
Cap / No Cap	Lie / Truth	Challenges honesty, trust
NPC	Insult implying someone is irrelevant	Bullying behavior
Glazing	Over-praising someone	Shuts down positivity
Based	Bold/confident (sometimes extreme)	Linked to edgy takes
Rizz	Flirting/smooth talk	Can cross boundaries
Gyatt	Sexual slang	Objectifies peers
I’m Him / You’re Not Him	Ego-boosting/self-superiority	Creates exclusion or arrogance

✅ Staff Tips

• Listen for Context: Ask students what they mean—don’t assume.

• Teach Digital Literacy: Help students dissect trends and their origins.

• Set Boundaries Early: Enforce respectful speech & device policies.

• Promote Pro-Social Models: Empower students to lead with kindness.

• Address, Don’t Ignore: "Jokes" about violence or mental health are always worth investigating.