By Gavin Boyle
Given how difficult it can be for parents to keep up with the ever changing slang and topics their kids are interested in, podcasts hosted by younger creators can help moms and dads understand what is currently popular online.
“Parents and guardians have a unique opportunity to witness these podcasts to better understand and connect with their children through observing these unfiltered media formats of raw uncensored chats that historically have taken place in private spaces and off-limits to adults,” said Karen Aronian, an education design and parenting expert.
While these podcasts can provide valuable insight for adults, they are also extremely popular among young audiences as they can connect with the hosts and feel like they are a part of a genuine community.
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“Podcasts like this are valuable forms of entertainment for young people – to make meaning together in a roundtable format and take in one another’s positioning, slang, and camaraderie reinforces their values and identity formation,” Aronian explained.
Currently one of the most popular podcasts in this formula is hosted by five teens who discuss food. The “MD Foodie Boyz” launched in November of 2024 and has now been viewed by millions of people as the teens discuss their eating habits and try new foods. The podcast has become so popular that SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE recently parodied the podcast in one of their sketches.
While the “MD Foodie Boyz” podcast serves as a fun way for friends to get together, it also highlights the growing desire of the younger generation to become content creators when they grow up.
A study from October 2023 found that 57% of Gen Z would choose to do content creation full time given the opportunity. This comes as no surprise given the lifestyle that top content creators appear to live. People that are a part of the industry, however, warn that being an influencer is not as glamorous as it may seem.
“While the influencer path may seem like a ticket to financial independence, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows, especially if you’re entangled in deals with brands that operate on tight budgets and have their own agendas,” explained Andrew Monasterio, a psychiatric nurse practitioner from Mindpath College Health.
Furthermore, studies have begun to show that being on social media at a young age can result in serious long-term negative effects for users, largely related to poor mental health.
Thus, while podcasts can serve as an easygoing entry into the content creation world for younger creators, parents should consider the downsides of allowing their children to engage in this work, especially if their child is particularly sensitive to outside opinions. However, these podcasts are also valuable and can help bridge the gap between parents and their kids.
Read Next: The Slang Evolution: Why Gen Alpha Calls Each Other ‘Chat’
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