What Happened to the Tween Phase?

[@dahnmer]

personally, i think this "cringe" label kind of ruins the comfort awkwardness in tweenhood for kids today, asides from the increase in influencer culture.

[@phoebewalsh3609]

I'm nearly 20, and my message to the tweens of today is that it's completely okay to be "cringe". You do not have to be "aesthetic" all the time, you're allowed to indulge in the things you enjoy. Please don't listen to all these people on social media calling each other cringe for the things they like, because more likely than not, those people have never had a spark of fun in their life.

[@normieboy1266]

Exactly! I 100% agree with you there. When I was in high school, people used to try and bully me for enjoying things like pokemon, and always carrying my Nintendo switch with me, but I honestly did not care what they thought. I eventually joined a gaming club and met people with similar interests. Don't let people who don't know how to have fun pick on you, enjoy what you want :-) Also.. you're so real for the Scorpia pfp love it.

[@GensChilledCola]

being "cringe" is like a mandatory part of being a tween

[@badmaidz]

Honestly, after watching 5 videos about this topic, I feel like this is only about rich kids and not normal class kids because I’ve read so many Comments sections with kids who still act their age so.. teen culture ain’t dead. CASE CLOSED

[@ZeepAtomic]

The fact that tweens now want to look like Kardashians makes me want to vomit. Back in my time, tweens would collect LPS and make drama films with them.

[@kytesav]

oh my god! the lps movies were so dramatic and interesting!

[@anyone1111]

I loved those and I still do ngl ugh the nostalgia🥹😭

[@Emeraldswildhorseisland]

I’m a preteen and it honestly feels weird seeing kids trying to have skincare or makeup like I have lip smackers still.

[@TheWeirdcoreMan]

What is LPS dawg? 😭

[@jimpickens5936]

Parents, normalize telling your children that some thing are for adults and not for them. They don’t need brand clothing if they have no concept of how much that is worth. They don’t need to play the newest games or watch adult movies or do adult hobbies. That’s adult enjoyment

[@PrincessMavenKittyDarkholme]

Well kids can handle more big things

[@jimpickens5936]

@@PrincessMavenKittyDarkholme I don’t doubt that. It’s more that if they can have everything and do everything that adults can, then what’s left to feel excited about? It was such a big step to be 16 or 18 or 21 years old because you basically unlocked new activities and privileges, so how can you be excited or proud if those things aren’t “gatekept”?

[@sweetcherry7759]

They get bullied for acting their age, they get bullied (yet currently more accepted) for acting much older than they are- // sigh

[@jigglySnow]

I just wish tweens and kids could live their lives without fear of getting called cringe, regardless of age it's just so tiring to be set at a standard and expecting to be it, or even higher.

[@Hoffmans.Slowedz.Audioz]

Like nawww when I was 9 I was called cringe for literally having an imagination and I literally was like “ok? Idrc” I wish people could be a little more like me when I was 9 and stop giving two craps about if someone thinks they’re cringe or whatever.

[@badmaidz]

Honestly, after watching 5 videos about this topic, I feel like this is only about rich kids and not normal class kids because I’ve read so many Comments sections with kids who still act their age so.. teen culture ain’t dead. CASE CLOSED

[@Hayasaku-B3B]

I was called cringe by playing at the McDonald’s play place by a 9 year old for not talking to her maybe

[@Hoffmans.Slowedz.Audioz]

@@Hayasaku-B3B nawww I would just say “ok” to everything they say. They would get annoyed after a while because they’d be like “why isn’t he affected by my comments?” Cause at the end of the day, they just want attention. Even if it’s not for attention, saying “ok” just shows that you don’t giver a single crap about what they’re saying.

[@Iatemygrammy]

To be honest, this is reminding me to enjoy my childhood. I am a tween, and I pretty much think my entire tween years are being spent in Pokémon and Nintendo really.

[@maddiegordon6255]

Me too I'm 13 and when I see the little girls on tik Tok with the drunk elephant and they look so adult like it makes me want to be a kid it makes me want to enjoy my childhood it makes me want to watch Disney movies and watch Nickelodeon shows and listen to Disney music and my mom always tells me to not grow up so fast and just enjoy my childhood so I think being a tween and just enjoying your childhood is a great thing to do and I tried to stay away from the internet as much as possible I just usually in my room reading the wimpy kid diaries they're so good😂 kids should never want to grow up fast I love being a kid it is the best thing ever

[@vergonzoso5]

I'm 15 and the covid pandemic basically robbed me of my tween years. When everything was reopening back again, I was in ninth grade, people changed a lot and i felt as if I was the outcast and the nerd. So to fit in, I tried what everyone else was doing- my first relationship didn't really go well. I didn't feel like myself, I had mistakes on my side, but I think it was a waste of time on both our sides. I regret having wanted to grow up that quickly. You should enjoy your childhood while you can. Others can judge all they want, but don't listen to them.

[@Dan6-789zw]

Nintendo if a great thing for Tween boys👍

[@selfryed]

@@vergonzoso5SAME!! like i was 9-10 when covid started and its like the tween phase was just bad because you couldnt do shit 😭😭 like when i was 11-12, i was already indoors for damn near 2 years and thats when the covid pandemic started ending n everything but still?? like im 13 now and i feel like i couldnt even be a tween, and now im abt to learn how to drive in about a year or so 😭 we've been ROBBED

[@PenneyLan]

Fr, I’m 12 and I see little kids with Stanley’s or stuff like that, I always feel like I should enjoy my childhood, go outside to play, do “childish” things, swinging on swings, go hang out with my friends at a jump place like urban air, because there will come a time where I can’t do that kind of stuff anymore

[@jeIIycube]

I turn 17 next month, and I wish I was a tween again, I wish I could live out my childhood again because I didn’t get to when I was little. It’s so weird to me that kids today are wanting to look like adults, get phones at age 10, and don’t like playing with toys?? I still collect toys, and enjoy very “childish” things!! I watch cartoons and CookieSwirlC still God damnit! Lol

[@bossjihyo2276]

I'm 20 and I keep on rewatching my childhood comfort shows

[@WiiMan25]

Man, my tween years were spent downloading video game sprites, recoloring them into OCs do not steal, making stupid comics with them in MS paint, and sharing them with my friends over Yahoo Messenger. My go-to hangout place was the manga section of Borders, and my single greatest goal in life was to experience an anime convention, which I did get to do at 12. I also used to think wearing regular clothes with a Naruto headband was a Halloween costume, and I thought letting my hair get messy and not combing it was cool because "I looked like a Saiyan". I think I've been doing better than ever these past few years, but I still look back at those times fondly. I give zero fucks if that stuff was "cringe", I was having fun.

[@Chiiya03]

really good points! and I completely forgot we had magazines for tweens and teenagers that were made about kids' interests with some silly or more serious quizzes like "are you a good friend?", "are you empathetic?", etc. and columns with letters to specialist who would answer questions about love, growing up, friendship problems. kids really deserve some spaces and entertainment made for them.

[@darkworldkrisdreemurr]

Yes I loved those magazines! I would always read or buy them, until my local grocery store stopped carrying them :(

[@dedcat._.https..h3]

i became a teenager last year and im very thankful to my parents for giving me a tweenhood (whatever you call it) no matter how cringy it was im thankful my childhood didnt go to waste.

[@bossjihyo2276]

I'm so happy for you! That's what I'm trying to do with my baby sister. I want her to have a real childhood and experience being a tween, like I did too. Those were some of the happiest years of my life, although I didn't realise it then

[@vampyroteumint]

I remember being 11-12 on KZbin and people would keep telling me to go back to the YTKids app, but I knew I couldn't because there was nothing for kids of that age. Our world right now only allows for people of either 3 years or 23 years.

[@shaziyataranum710]

No one should watch yt Kids some adult creators sneak adult content disguised as cartoons and post it there.

[@vampyroteumint]

@@shaziyataranum710 That, too... I remember trying not to engage with that sort of thing even before KZbin Kids was a thing, but my cousin still had access to some of those really fucked up mickey mouse videos

[@Tani_Dog2]

As a teen that is on the edge of gen z, I feel this. Me and my friends are into "cringe" culture and fandoms, ect. We get judged for it and it sucks. I just want to enjoy my childhood and not have to grow up so fast.

[@tinysey]

Don't be afraid to be cringe, enjoy your childhood ❣

[@IndigenousExotical]

I was 8 when I saw Mean Girls in theaters. My auntie with two daughters my age took us. I enjoyed the movie but I thought it was inappropriate and grown for me! And yes, I thought that at age 8!! I want kids and tweens to be their cute, quirky and silly selves to develop into themselves. Puberty and that awkward life stage is really a right of passage to adulthood and learning how to embrace YOU and your likes 😓

[@mynameISsky]

When I was twelve (decades ago) my Mom threw out the spandex outfit I bought- well, she threw out the top and let me keep the shorts. She knew to keep me a tween to keep me safe (mentally and physically).

[@_jouno]

I'm 13, I kinda feel like my 'tweenhood' was robbed from me these past couple years. I admit that online classes were fun but it was probably the most lonely I, and some of my peers have been. Specifically ages 9-11 were I should've been out interacting with other people my age It was spent just playing online games or wastinf time. I spent a lot of time on forum sites/social medias as a substitute for real people, cause like mentioned in the video there's a constant fear of being ridiculed for the things I enjoy. Even currently in my 7th grade, I feel somewhat anxious showing my interests to people who aren't in my close-knit circle of people. The safe space like the tweens had before, at lewst in my case is mostly on the internet now. Which is honestly kinda sad.

[@LetMeBeClearMk]

I'm a teen, and i never used make up yet, and that was my choice because i have a lot of acne, and i would rather take care of my acne then, buying make up that will most likely make my acne worse. I love who i am with or without make up, I'm a silly, cringe, and creative teen, we all are cringe at some point when you're a teen or tween. Just have fun, you have so much time to be a teen/tween, it doesn't matter what others has to say, they don't have anything fun or creative to do in their life, just be you.💖

[@TessConnellan]

I've been seeing this disappearance of tweendom happen for so many years (I am a crotchety elder lol) and I'm SO GLAD that it's being discussed like this now.

[@N.G.H.]

When I was a tween, 12 and 13, I was into Daria and shopping at Hottopic. Today's kids are just another episode of Sick Sad World.

[@WolfgangXP65-67]

Daria is absolutely amazing bruh 😌👏

[@badmaidz]

@@WolfgangXP65-67 Honestly, after watching 5 videos about this topic, I feel like this is only about rich kids and not normal class kids because I’ve read so many Comments sections with kids who still act their age so.. teen culture ain’t dead. CASE CLOSED

[@Hayasaku-B3B]

Hot topic is good too

[@EeveelutionStorm]

We also need kids to spend less time online. And kids, NEED to stay out of adult spaces. Most of the issues within communities like Hazbin Hotel is because kids are finding these adult shows and throwing fits that they're NOT FOR KIDS.

[@JAYZ-47465]

Im probably a teenager now since I have gone past 12 years of age, but im still in my somewhat awkward phase where I get a little more self-conscious about myself and im fixated in things that aren’t considered trendy in today, but that’s okay because im happy and im learning. It feels so weird to see those in the tween age doing things considered for adults. It’s like “hey kids if you dont do these things adults are doing, you’re cringe!1!1!” Which is so weird, considering the Sephora 10 year old situation right now, but it’s not just the children, it’s also the parents and how almost every child is being raised on their devices which grants them full access to social media. Anyways, to anyone who is reading this; you are NOT CRINGE, you are ENJOYING the THINGS YOU LIKE and it MAKES YOU HAPPY, thats all that matters. If you like the most obscure things that even Milennials might not know, that’s okay! If you indulge in scenecore, that’s okay too! Life goes by fast, so be happy while you have it.

[@Hayasaku-B3B]

I am a tween and I sometimes still watch “childish” shows when I’m bored. I don’t do skincare because,it’s too expensive and why would I need it?I do a lot of craft projects and make paper figures.

[@screwed_up_screwball]

Also I think a part of it is (at least in my experience) extreme FOMO and kids just wanting to be in on the joke. Like, social media platforms are still mostly run by adults (as they should) talking about their cringy past and all the stuff they've done, and kids don't like not being part of the thousands of comments sharing their experiences. Like, I'm late gen Z (Born in early 2000's, right during the iPhone era) and I remember being embarrassed for liking things like Monster High, MLP, LPS and Barbie when I WAS THE TARGET AUDIENCE because everyone else my age had phones and makeup and talked about crushes. I got my first phone at 11 and even then I think that's a little too young (though my younger brother who is very very late gen Z, acts like gen alpha, got his first phone ON THE SAME DAY AS ME when he was 9) Like, I can only speak for myself and the people I know irl, but everyone I know around my age either doesn't want kids or agrees with me that they won't get unsupervised internet until their much,much older because, despite what a lot of people would say, I genuinely don't think that kids should be on the internet at all. Even some teens, cause as a teenager (who is a little too old to speak as one but glossing over that for a second) we think we're mature enough to handle things, and we think we know right from wrong and we think our opinion is just the right one no questions asked, but really we're all pretty dumb, only think in black and white and will probably put ourselves in danger just to prove a point. Tbh I'm probably just gonna get my future kid a leapster, then a DS, then a switch (and even then it'll have parental controls) and when they're an older teenager and I know they understand how crucial it is to NOT get into drama, talk to adults online or get lost in the validation of likes and comments, then they can have a phone. I would say parental controls on that, but tbh they'd find a way. I know I did

[@umrayquazashinyapareceu1672]

As someone from very late gen z (born in the late 2000s), i AGREE in many ways with you. Kids should've NEVER had access to the internet, bcs ik I shouldn't had. Like the ammount of disturbing and messed up sh*t i saw (like, levels of someone having their jeads open with a pickaxe levels of messed up sh*t), the paranoia some other videos set on me and the many, MANY dangerous places are the reason why, If i have kids, i won't allow them access to the web until they're 18.

[@leilacapa-uv8lo]

I’m 14, not a “tween,” but I can proudly say that my childhood has not been wasted. Even though I was given technology at a young age, I liked things such as Cartoons, Books, and other nerd stuff my entire life. Did people make fun of me for it? Yes. Do I care? NOT. ONE. BIT. And you shouldn’t either. If you have interests that are considered “cringe” that’s fine. If you have interests that are considered “aesthetic” that’s fine too. If you have both, have both. If you have neither, have neither! As long as you aren’t hurting anyone, you do you and me do me.

[@hana_desuuuuu]

So true, I get bullied for liking anime, but I don’t even care, I’m still gonna like it anyway ✌🏻

[@IndigenousExotical]

When I was a tween I was sooo into reading the Twilight series. I was so proud that I finished all the books before the first movie came out lol. I did hate how older millennials and young gen x would tease us for liking Twilight and Justin Bieber to the point I felt embarassed, but back then there was no social media to make posts how cringe the tweens are. I cant imagine how fast I would have dropped reading Twilight if I saw posts calling girls like me cringe 😕 Today, i regret the cute twilight jewelry and t shirts I tossed. I would have loved to rock pr at least pass down those items to future kids or friend’s kids.

[@Dakotert]

The thing is, stuff like gacha life and boyfriends ARE the remaining bit of the tween phase. Gacha life is THE tween thing, but most of us got bullied out of it.. BY ADULTS. Therians are also a tween thing, and Olkaholma is trying to pass a law where schools can call ANIMAL CONTROL on these little fucking kids for being kids. We all thought we were animals, angels, vampires, or whatever at some point. EVERYONE. Everyone thought they were different than anyone else, and now kids are being shamed for that. Do better, guys. Do better. I should not be 12 and telling you all how to parent your kids. That's literally the opposite of what should be happening.

[@vampyroteumint]

This exactly. Like, all you guys have left are those little tiktok povs that basically just copy Barbie: Princess Charm School

[@hana_desuuuuu]

⁠@@vampyroteumintfr like they are super cringey 😬

[@hana_desuuuuu]

I love gacha but I don’t tell anyone because I’ll probably get bullied at my school… Like I’m sick of getting bullied already

[@sweetcherry7759]

My biggest worry tho rn are the rl adult predators who’re likely definitely preying on these “mature” children/tweens..

[@defnotabi777]

This is a great video! And I completely think that it isn’t tweens fault to grow up, because in this society the environment we have created is grow up because if u act like a kid it’s cringe

[@heatherophelia3281]

I’m turning 21 this year, as a tween my parents still had me on Disney channel and XD, Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon UNTIL I graduated highschool. I’m not saying this to sound ungrateful, I’m extremely grateful my parents are firm in their decisions for us. In saying that, until the pandemic I wasn’t allowed to have social media or watch reality tv or date or have sleepovers outside of my own home. My parents were protective as it can get with heathy boudaries, none of this tracking and stalking. ANYWAY, I left my tween stage when I graduated highschool in 2021, I’ve been acting a teen for my first three years of college but that didn’t stunt my maturity. Once I was in college I was allowed grander access to media dm the internet and the world, being a tween is so necessary in the ways that entertainment should be targeted for young minds. The world is too explicit, too much exposer for tweens and even teens. In my first three years I fumbled and rebelled and was a mess of an “adult” but now as I’m turning 21 most of my worst habits are beneath me, I’ve still got the scars and the triggers/impulsive thoughts to destroy myself but I won’t listen to them as often because I remember me in my tweens and teens taking my protection for granted, how my filtered lifestyle was the best because what I was allowed to see and have access to WAS catered to me, at least the parts given by my parents. It was public school that ruined me… I thank God that I was also born and raised in a Christian house hold. My parents were gracious to me but even more gracious to the world knowing that all my faults were the cause of my sinful nature and the temptations of the world. 🥰 I love being a young soul, I’m still in school, I have a part time job and I’m heavily involved in my church through volunteer and obedience to the Lord and I don’t feel like I’ve missed out on much. I actually feel stunted in my growth when I do give in to the influences of the world and it’s warpedness to speed up the ageing process in tweens.

[@Username0467]

Mean Girls is PG-13. Not for tweens!

[@ll2323]

When I was a tween I was pinning posters of B2k on my wall and listening to Disney radio to try and win a lunch with the cast from holes the movie 😂 definitely good times.

[@Dan6-789zw]

Well for the dudes the tween phase is still a thing for the tween boys it’s mainly just Pokémon, Mario, dragon ball,Alan Becker,Roblox,etc the girls tho 💀

[@deweyr_fisher]

I agree, I’m a girl but played a lot of video games so I fit in better with the boys. I think girls are more so pressured to grow up faster, while boys are still allowed to mess around even well into their 20s and 30s

[@subechha]

Nah im a girl but im obsessed w those 💀

[@andresnikolasfit]

Great video! This was the first video I watched of your channel but you are a very captivating speaker! I hope as young millenials, early and mid gen z that we can create a space for our future kids to just be kids. Since a lot of us agree we will not give our kids Ipads and technology at a young age I hope we can clme together and create socials and a new culture for our kids that Gen Alpha might not get to experience.

[@littlesnake7318]

Yeah I remember being a tween in the late 90's early 2000's. Lip Smackers and body glitter was the way. The gen alpha trend with the skin care products is distributing. Why do kids need retinol creams? I'm 35 and don't even use that stuff. Any dermatologist will tell you all you really need is a face cleanser, a moisturizer and sunscreen. That's all I use and I've got a decent complexion. I also still use lip smackers. Will never grow out of that!

[@hana_desuuuuu]

So true, I have to use skincare because my skin is oily and acne-prone, but I agree 100%!

[@osorioyoni]

Im disappointed in my generation i hate it we all can’t be ourselves were just pure garbage our stereotype is garbage we’re basically just some a-holes nobody likes i feel like im never enough 🫠

[@cat_with.a._shirt9503]

Gen z or alpha-

[@osorioyoni]

@@cat_with.a._shirt9503 alpha

[@Ariayilzpt]

Every generation has its people that have a crappy behavior. But unfortunately, most of the time the well behaved go unnoticed. And that creates a stereotype that everyone in a certain generation is the same. Hope that was understandable, english isn't my first language.

[@C0nfused0ne_]

You don't need to be so harsh on yourself/your generation. Just be a kid and have fun, if you can, try to get your friends to have fun and not grow up so fast aswell. Try not to stress too much and just have fun :)

[@Dan6-789zw]

@@C0nfused0ne_the problem is hat it’s nearly impossible to do that in this Generation

[@Hoffmans.Slowedz.Audioz]

My tween years were spent on learning history 💀 I dressed in whatever my mom bought me at the time and I didn’t even mind. I didn’t want ANYTHING to do with what other people of my age, or older were doing. I only wanted to do what was in my interests. (Like wth was even trending 2020-2022 or early 2023 💀I only know what things are trending WHEN IT BECOMES A PROBLEM)

[@Katiki24]

I’m 15, and I wish I was a tween again. I was so cringey looking back now playing mermaids and doing weird dance moves in shops like Claire’s (uk) but my 10 y/o cousin has more skincare than me and I have combination skin and it’s crazy to me. She has the same amount of ear piercings and frankly a bigger cup size than me. She acts like my age and it’s depressing,

[@adorbsxjames]

SECOND LOVE UR VIDS ❤

[@yohane2787]

Your videos are amazing

[@tinysey]

Thank you ❣

[@Hoffmans.Slowedz.Audioz]

It makes me mad how all these 10 year olds look 15-18 AND ME A 14 YEAR OLD LOOKS LIKE A 10 YEAR OLD

[@Elizabeth-eh8fu]

My tween years were spent playing minecraft and trying to look cool in front of my friends

[@slaybookworm]

First for the first time !

[@mylife-23]

Side note, why tf is everything for adults so boring and bland???? Wheres the color, where's the cute designs? Wheres the fun???

[@vortexvibes5944]

Watching this after seeing 12 year olds buying Sabrina Carpenter stuff 😢

[@iloveme_777]

in my experience, now tweens are still tweens, do they know things tweens used to not know? Yea but they do still look like tweens in real life.

[@faithfulw1shes]

Not all kids are Sephora kids guys I have seen a ton of 10-11 year olds acting emo

[@wholesomecrystals8919]

The future society is doomed

[@am_spooki7512]

I blame gen z for all of this

[@faithfulw1shes]

Same

[@emna4rl934]

Me who is 13 meanwhile I don't like brand clothing, makeup, stuff like that but my mom forces me to use and buy them, as well as forcing me not to watch cartoons (i like cartoons):

[@pizzapartytime1826]

Aww before Disney was actually a tv channel instead of being woke and trying to brainwash kids.

[@Username0467]

🙄

[@pizzapartytime1826]

@@Username0467 it’s true…

[@icecreamhero2375]

Shows sometimes having a few gay characters and acting like it's normal is apparently woke. (sarcasm)

[@pizzapartytime1826]

@@icecreamhero2375 nah that’s what I’m talking about. There was, I don’t know if it was a show or like a commercial that about Black people and how they are oppressed. And teaching kids about gender

[@icecreamhero2375]

@@pizzapartytime1826 You don't even watch the channel or name a specific show and you are complaining about it.