The choice reflects children’s awareness of mental health and current affairs, say those behind the annual survey
In what has been a particularly turbulent week in global affairs, the choice of ‘kindness’ as Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2024 offers a reminder of the hope we carry for younger generations.
More than 6,000 children aged between six and 14 were asked to select the word they think best summed up 2024 as part of research conducted by the Oxford University Press (OUP). According to teachers, the choice of ‘kindness’, which was selected by 61% of the youngsters asked, reflects a growing awareness among young people of the impact of mental health, and the contribution kindness can make to mental wellbeing.
Numerous references to global violence and current conflicts emphasised how attuned children are to current affairs, said survey organisers, with words such as ‘need’ and ‘should’ frequently used in their responses.
“It is so encouraging that kindness has been voted – by a considerable majority – as the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year for 2024,” said Andrea Quincey, director of early years and primary publishing at OUP. “We know from previous years that young people are very conscious of the big issues that can divide us as a society and attuned to the important role which language can play in bringing people together.”
One child said: “Everyone you meet is fighting a battle we know nothing about. We should treat everyone with kindness. You never truly know how much it could help someone.”

'We should treat everyone with kindness. You never truly know how much it could help someone' said one youngster. Image: Oxford University Press (OUP)
“It tells us that empathy, and tolerance and the language we use matter, and that kindness is not only a solution to so many problems but is something everyone and anyone can do to make a difference,” continued Quincey.
In second place came ‘artificial intelligence’, which 25% of children chose as their top word of 2024. “Because I think that the world is a better place with AI, as long as they do not take over our lives,” said one participant of his or her choice.
Seven per cent of children selected ‘conflict’, with one child saying: “Many children like [me] have experienced conflicts in our personal lives, in our families, friendships”.
It tells us that empathy, and tolerance and the language we use matter, and that kindness is … something everyone and anyone can do to make a difference
‘Slay’ earned the title of slang word of the year, which was cited as an expression of support and approval. “When my friend showed me her new outfit, I said: ‘You totally slay in that dress!’ It’s my go-to word when I want to hype someone up and make them feel amazing,’ offered one youngster.
This was closely followed by ‘sigma’ and ‘skibidi’, which OUP excerpts say highlight the part social media plays in shaping the next generation’s use of language. “When something goes wrong I say: ‘What the skibidi?’” explained one young person.
For more than a decade, experts and academic researchers at OUP have been tracking Children’s Word of the Year, analysing the evolution of children’s language and how it is used to reflect their emotions and experiences. Previous Oxford Children’s Words of the Year include ‘climate change’ in 2023 and ‘queen’ in 2022.
In their own words: responses to the survey
On ‘kindness’ …
“It’s always important to be kind as a lot of people struggle with their mental health”
“We should treat everyone with kindness. You never truly know how much it could help someone”
“Because it’s important to be kind as you don’t know who is suffering”
On ‘AI’ …
“I would feel proud of what the technology has come to, but I’m also scared of it changing the future”
“It’s new and exciting and sounds like the future”
On ‘slay’ …
“When my friend showed me her new outfit, I said: ‘You totally slay in that dress!’ It’s my go-to word when I want to hype someone up and make them feel amazing”
“When a friend has done something really well I will say they have slayed it”
On ‘skibidi’ …
“It’s a random and silly word that instantly lightens the mood in our group”
“When I’m with friends, if we’re really hyped about something or just feeling silly, someone might say, ‘Skibidi!’ and we’ll all start doing the Skibidi dance moves, just for laughs. Or, if someone asks: ‘How’s the vibe tonight?’ I might say: ‘Oh, it’s totally Skibidi mode!’ to mean that we’re in a high-energy, fun mood”
“When something goes wrong I say: ‘What the skibidi?’
Read the Oxford Children’s Word of the Year 2024 report here.
Main image: RichVintage
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