How to Talk to Today’s Teenagers (Without Being Cringe)

How to Talk to Today’s Youth (Without Being Cringe)

Nothing knocks the wind out of you quite like making small talk with the cool new intern at work and hearing her say, “Well, as a 2005 baby...” 😵‍💫 

Say sike rn. 
You nearly choke on your matcha latte. 
Wasn’t 2003 only like 10 years ago? [Editor’s Note: Try 22 years ago, babe.]

It feels like just yesterday that us bebe millennials were slathering our pimply faces with Maybelline’s Dream Matte® Mousse Foundation, trying to get our crush to notice us on AOL Instant Messenger, and listening to “My Humps” on our hot pink iPod Shuffle (parental supervision, where?!). 🦋💿

We hate to be the bearers of bad news, but we’re not teenagers anymore. 😞 Even though we sometimes often feel like 15-year-olds cosplaying as corporate baddies with big-girl jobs. And important responsibilities. And bills to pay. Shudders.

Suddenly, we’re not the ones inventing trendy lingo (“fo shizzle” ✌️). We’re now looking dazed and confused as the Gen-Z intern casually spits out, “She’s so mother,” when describing your boss’ boss.

So, how TF do you speak “teenager?” 🤔🦜

TeenVoice is the perfect place to start. It’s a self-service survey tool that helps brands, organizations, and marketers get direct insight from real Gen Zers and Gen Alphas. 

You can launch a survey in minutes, get results in a day, and actually understand what’s working with your campaigns, messaging, and packaging. Or what’s totally cringe. 👀

Not ready to conduct your own research just yet? Don’t fret! TeenVoice has a library of syndicated content with articles and expert-written reports. All the content is focused on teens’ digital lives, buying behaviors, and advertising preferences.

For example:

🔗 Cringey or cool? What teens really think about trendiness in ads
🔗 5 key insights into Gen Z shopping habits—and what they mean for Gen Alpha

No more guessing what today’s youth are thinking! Or forcing your 11-year-old cousin to answer questions about your ad campaign at a family reunion. 

Because speaking fluent teenager isn’t about mimicking their slang (please don’t). It’s about actually listening to their wants and needs. 🧠✨

And thanks to TeenVoice, now you can. 👇

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