'Nasty, cruel': The two-word bullying trend that's hit Australia

"My son is saying it to my daughter, who is obviously not a boy.”

Every day, teenagers wake up determined to expand their ever-growing dictionary of slang that no one else understands.

Now, there’s a new saying on the rise in Australia that parents are being urged to monitor: “Good boy.”

It's seemingly harmless. But the truth is, it’s not what they’re saying, it’s how they’re saying it. 

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The "Good Boy" trend finally hits Australia

The point is to weaponise the words, so they pack a condescending punch.

The trend began last year in the U.S. A video of a group of kids asked a police officer for his name and badge number, then mocked him, calling him "good boy," when he answered.

 

 

Sydney mum Leah told Kidspot that her kids and their friends have adopted the phrase in their conversations. 

“I noticed that my kids were saying 'gooooood boooooy' to each other for a few weeks, and their friends too. I didn't think much of it,”  Leah said.

“During the school holidays, I noticed it being said more and more. My son was saying it to my daughter, who is obviously not a boy.”

It got to a point where Leah's daughter would become upset. 

“I realised it wasn't just between the two of them but something all kids, teens and preteens were saying. It has come from school or YouTube."

When Leah raised it with them, she was surprised by the origins.

"They explained it’s used to mock someone for doing something as simple as picking up a napkin for another person. 

“It's a small form of bullying in my opinion. It's used to poke fun at the other person. Degrading, condescending... all of those things.

"Yet another completely unnecessary trend coming from social media for our kids."

The 'Good boy' viral trend has hit Australia. Image: iStock

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"They're saying Good Boy in the classroom"

NSW teacher Rebecca* told Kidspot she’s hearing it often at school. 

“They say all sorts of stupid things,” she said. “They can be downright cruel. I’m pretty brutal with calling them out though.” 

Rebecca said the tone and context work together to give the phrase a nasty undertone.

“It’s both. It’s usually used if someone is answering a question or trying to do the right thing. It’s mostly face-to-face bullying that's become more intense. Kids are more brutal to each other and then say 'Oh nah, we’re just joking'.”

But the problem is, according to both Rebecca and Leah, they are not joking at all.

*Rebecca has asked to remain anonymous. 

Originally published as 'Nasty, cruel': The two-word bullying trend that's hit Australia