More and more Gen Zers embrace singleness, Toy Story 5 pits the classic cast of toys against modern technology, and World Cup tourists go viral for loving the United States. But first:
Slang of the Week: “Mogging”
The word mogging refers to looking or performing better than someone else. The term has a long history. In the early 2000s, the acronym AMOG, which stood for Alpha Male of Group, was used in incel (involuntary celibate) communities to point out which male was the dominant one. Then, “amogging,” or out-Alpha-ing the Alpha male, emerged. Over time, the ‘a’ was dropped, and mogging became the verb that it is today: if you get mogged, you are inferior, but if you mog, or are mogging, you are superior (similar to “cooking” versus “getting cooked”). The term was popularized after the influencer Clavicular was approached (language) to take a photo with a buff fraternity leader, and his followers declared that he had been “brutally frame-mogged” by the other man.
And now for our three conversations..
1. Bymyselfmaxxing
What it is: “Solomaxxing” and related terms signal a new trend among young people who intentionally choose to stay single, according to Wired.
Why the people are maxxing: Bymyselfmaxxing, singlemaxxing, alonemaxxing, are all different ways of saying the same thing: people are embracing singleness. A new study on dating burnout found that nearly half of adults aged 18-24 say that being single feels more peaceful than being in a relationship. 42% also said being paired can interfere with personal goals, self-development, or financial stability (the average cost of a date is now apparently $189). Rather than seeing singleness as something to fix or move on from, many folks are embracing hobbies, personal rituals, and self-discovery instead. In the Wired article, social scientist Bella DePaulo argued that, “…single life, for people who want to be single, is completely stable. It is marriage that is unstable.” For many, solomaxxing is regarded as another iteration of personal optimization, like improving how you look (looksmaxxing) and what you eat (proteinmaxxing).
Continue the conversation: What’s a good reason for being single? What’s not a good reason?
2. The Toys Are Back In Town
What it is: Toy Story 5 pits Jessie, Woody, Buzz, and the rest of toykind against the “LilyPads” (basically frog-themed iPads) that are taking over kids’ attention.
Why it’s relevant: If you’ve been looking for a way to explain The Anxious Generation to your 8-year-old, Toy Story 5 just gave it to you. The point of the movie isn’t exactly subtle: screen time is contributing to the erosion of childhood. In an age when pre-teens often get absorbed into the decidedly adult world of social media, the point is well-taken. (As one related example, with so many “beauty” influencers on social media, a survey by Ulta determined that many members of Gen Alpha now start experimenting with beauty products around age 8.) Toy Story 5’s plot won’t be surprising if you’re generally aware of trends around tech use, mental health, and cyberbullying—but the movie is worth seeing for the way it dramatizes these cultural challenges.
Continue the conversation: What’s something you used to love as a kid that you rarely think about anymore?
3. International Sleepover
What it is: We’re two weeks into the 2026 World Cup, and a surprising early victor has arisen: the culture, cities, and people of the United States.
Why it’s taking over social media: It’s no secret that the World Cup is the world’s biggest sporting event, and with its arrival in North America comes international fans and tourists. One German who goes by the name “fredyla7” on TikTok has gone viral for exploring United States culture as he follows his German national team, even getting invited to an Ella Langley concert by the woman herself. Other fans are reacting to the food (which has Americans reacting right back), encountering the general friendliness and openness of Americans, and one iconic tweet features a Japanese man reacting to getting free chips and salsa at a Mexican restaurant. The Dutch took over a Dutch Bros, and the Scottish have generally loved and been loved in Boston. As many on the internet have said, it feels a little like the world is having a sleep over.
Let’s translate this one further…
The internet is a place we all spend a lot of time, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it reflects reality. As someone who is online a lot (perhaps too much), I am very aware that people love to dunk on the United States, especially on sites like Reddit or even TikTok. It’s not all that surprising: the United States takes up a lot of oxygen in global politics and cultural iconography. Americans export movies, music, political ideologies, and cultural struggles to the rest of the world. From the outside (and often inside), it’s easy to grumble and complain and sling mud.
As someone who was born and raised in the United States, I realize that much of this negative propaganda isn’t an accurate representation of the average American and their day-to-day lives. Yet, for people who did not grow up in the United States, it’s hardly surprising that when they show up in American cities, they’re often taken aback by how friendly and open and loving the culture and people are. If their window into American culture—the internet—has such a negative tint to it, can we blame them for their negative expectations? Again, the internet does not necessarily reflect reality.
So what does this mean for parenting and discipling teens? I think it means consistently reminding ourselves and our teens that what we see online might not always represent reality. It means encouraging our teens to be curious about people and ideas, and not assume we know the whole story just because we read something online.
A section of scripture I think is particularly relevant to our modern age is the beginning of 2 Timothy 4. The Apostle Paul is writing to Timothy, the young person he is discipling, and he encourages him to resist the temptation of “itching ears”—to not be like those who only believe ideas and doctrine that “suit their own desires.” His advice on how to avoid this? “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
For more context and nuance, check out our Roundtable podcast on Spotify, Apple, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. In the meantime, here are three questions to help you continue the conversation with your teens:
- If someone came to visit us from another country, what would be the first thing you’d take them to do?
- What’s a foreign country you want to visit?
- What’s something you’ve changed your mind about? Have you ever seen me change my mind about something?
Parenting together,
CJ Fant and the Axis Team
In Other News…
- Giannis Antetokounmpo has been traded to the Miami Heat in the biggest NBA trade since Luka Dončić and the Lakers. The deal sends the two-time MVP from Milwaukee to Miami, a change that significantly shifts the league’s balance of power.
- A24, the studio behind Backrooms, is partnering with Google DeepMind in a research partnership to develop AI tools for filmmakers. The studio says the goal is to support artists rather than replace them. Still, the announcement has resulted in many fans canceling paid memberships to AAA24.
- Meccha Chameleon, a hide-and-seek game where players can paint themselves to blend in, is the first breakout gaming hit of the summer, selling over 7 million copies in 12 days.
- Tom Holland has officially confirmed that he and Zendaya are married. Speculation about the couple has finally been put to rest as the news spread quickly across social media, where fans reacted to the milestone with excitement.
- Grand Theft Auto VI pre-orders are now live, but not without controversy. Many are frustrated by the lack of an actual physical disc in the “physical edition,” and by the fact that the $80 version feels inferior, content-wise, to the $100 version.
PS: Know someone who could use our conversation starters with their teens? Share the CT with a friend!