While adults went with "brain rot" as the Oxford Word of the Year, kids had a much brighter pick as Oxford University Press announced "kindness" as the Children's Word of the Year 2024.
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Children's Word of the Year
Back in December, "brain rot" was named the Oxford Word of the Year 2024 after a public vote with over 37,000 participants worldwide. The term refers to the impact of consuming excessive amounts of low-quality online content, especially on social media. Around the same time, a survey was conducted with more than 6,000 children aged 6 to 14 across the UK. The results showed that 61% of them selected "kindness" as their favourite word.
This new research highlighted children's growing awareness of empathy, generosity, and positive actions, with "kindness" triumphing over other contenders like "artificial intelligence" and "conflict."
In the category of slang words, "slay" took the lead, surpassing other popular terms like "sigma" and "skibidi." In Gen Z slang, "slay" means to excel at something or to look and feel confident, often used to compliment someone's style, performance, or attitude.
Teachers involved in the study observed that children have grown more aware of the importance of kindness in boosting mental health, particularly during difficult times.
The survey highlighted that emphasis on kindness is shaped by their awareness of global events and their immediate surroundings. Many young respondents also shared how kindness helps in dealing with both the obvious and hidden challenges others face.
"This suggests a generation that is deeply empathetic and attuned to the needs of others, even in a fast-changing and sometimes unpredictable world," said Oxford University Press.
Linda Roos, the dictionary publisher at Oxford University Press South Africa, stated: "This study has been a useful entry point for understanding the importance of humanity among such young minds. As adults, we should never underestimate children's ability to think deeply, their yearning for peace, and their relentless hope for positive change. Where communities treasure mutual support, kindness becomes a bridge towards unity and meaningful connections."
Artificial Intelligence
The Oxford Children's Corpus, the world's largest database of writing by and for children, further revealed that AI remains a topic of interest among children, showing varied opinions.
In the search for the Oxford Children's Word of the Year 2024, artificial intelligence was runner-up, chosen by 25% of the children surveyed.
While concerns were raised about fake online content and "superintelligence," 53% of those who selected artificial intelligence voiced feelings of excitement and optimism.
Roos added, "While AI presents exciting opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic growth, it raises important questions about access and equity. By nurturing kindness alongside technological curiosity, we can help children approach these challenges with heart and intellect.
"This year's choice of 'kindness' is a testament to the optimism and empathy that define this generation," Oxford University Press concluded.
Click here for a movie review that can teach kids about empathy and kindness.
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