Misogyny among students
Teacher unions in Québec report more misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic remarks and gestures among students, which can hurt classmates and get kids who join in into trouble at school.
Should I worry?
Teachers say that jokes, insults and gestures aimed at girls, gay students and trans students are becoming more common in hallways and group chats. Kids can be on the receiving end, or repeat what they hear to fit in without seeing how it lands. Warning signs: your child suddenly avoids school or a friend group, seems withdrawn after messages, repeats demeaning remarks about girls or LGBTQ+ people, or laughs these off as 'just jokes'. Stay calm, ask open questions, and listen before correcting. If your child is targeted, keep screenshots and bring them to the school, which has a duty to act. If your child is the one making the remarks, set a clear limit on the behaviour and keep the relationship open.
How to join in
This is less a trend with a name than a mood in some school cultures, where put-downs and edgy jokes about gender and sexuality pass for humour and belonging. Kids often repeat them because they get laughs or because they want to fit in, not because they believe them. A good way in is curiosity: ask what jokes are going around, which ones feel off to your child, and what they do when a friend says something unkind. Your child likely has more views on this than you expect.
Try saying
“I've been hearing that some jokes about girls and about gay or trans kids are going around at school. What do you notice, and how does it feel when it happens? If you ever get hurt by it, or catch yourself laughing along when you'd rather not, you can tell me and I won't freak out.”
If you’re worried
If your child is being harassed or targeted, tell the school administration and keep copies of messages. If there are threats or immediate danger, call 911. Kids Help Phone is available to your child at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting 686868, any time.
Sources
From Mistlift, mistlift.app. Plain talk about what kids are into online.