Gen Alpha Kids and TikTok: Where Did Manners Go?

By: Zainuddin

Hi! Do you hear about Generation Alpha? They are children born in 2010 or later. They mostly enjoy playing with phones, tablets, and apps such as TikTok. TikTok is nice — you dance, laugh, and watch awesome videos. However, too much TikTok is not good. It makes some children forget how to be polite, particularly at school.

In fact, TikTok is filled with hilarious videos. Lots of children view it extremely frequently — sometimes even excessively frequently. They attempt to copy what they watch. Some start to use the language of TikTok influencers when speaking to their teachers. This is not suitable. Teachers are not internet friends in a comments section — they should be respected.

Due to TikTok, children have also stopped using respectful words like “please” and “thank you.” They talk loudly, interrupt people, and do not listen attentively. These are all bad manners. To be kind, take turns, and talk respectfully is important at school. Regrettably, TikTok does not instill these values. TikTok tends to promote being speedy, being humorous, and being popular more.

TikTok culture comes to school with some students. They try to take videos in class and care more about getting likes than learning. This is a serious issue. School should be where students learn and grow as people, not a venue for online fame. A good student greets, does homework, and shows respect to peers and teachers.

TikTok is not an evil app itself, but too much of it can harm. Generation Alpha children must not forget that they need to be good. Talk nicely, be calm, and listen carefully. TikTok can wait — respect and learning have to precede. Let us be respectful and thoughtful learners, not just popular ones.