Updated – Originally published April 16, 2024
Imagine you tell your child your opinion – for example, that skinny jeans are still stylish – and they respond with, “That’s a hot take.”
What do they mean by that? Agreement? Disagreement? Dissatisfaction with the conversation? Every new day brings a new word from Gen Z but, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.
Let’s talk about what “hot take” means!
What is a Hot Take? Hot Take Meaning
Hot takes are controversial opinions that go against the general consensus on an issue or situation, or even on common debate topics. The phrase “hot take” has been around since about 2012.It describes a “take,” which is a distinct or personal point of view, outlook, or assessment, as being “hot,” or of intense and immediate interest. Believe it or not, this relatively novel phrase is in the dictionary!
Hot takes aren’t necessarily wrong. They’re simply unpopular opinions that can be justified despite their lack of widespread support.
Where Did “Hot Take” Come From?
In pop culture, the term was originally used by sportscasters. These sports hosts would spit out angry and controversial “hot takes” about viewers’ favorite players, inviting floods of calls and criticisms from fans into the studio. This inevitably increased engagement in their talk shows and increased revenue.
Nowadays, the phrase is everywhere, from innocent social media posts to political articles and news outlets.
Hot Takes Game for Families
As a family, you could make your own game of hot takes! Each family member could give a controversial opinion. Some hot take examples could be that spears are the best pickle shape, or that crocs are still fashionable.
The game is meant to get people talking about their opinions and preferences, and it’s great for road trips or family game nights.
There is a card game available for purchase called Hot Takes, which has cards with popular hot takes for players to discuss. However, the game is rated 17+ for mature language and references so it may not be suitable for many families.
Examples of Hot Takes
Here are some notable good “hot takes” examples from high schoolers:
- Hot take: skinny jeans are still stylish
- Hot take: pineapple is not good on pizza
- Hot take: Instagram is better than Snapchat
- Hot take: soup is gross
- Hot take: cold showers are better than hot showers
When Hot Takes Become Serious
It’s important to note that calling someone’s opinion a hot take tends to shut down another person’s argument, with little room for discussion. Rather than disagreeing by opening up a dialogue and discussing an issue, calling an opinion “a hot take” doesn’t allow for growth in one’s mindset.
A hot take is also a way that some people get away with stating an opinion that isn’t backed by research or evidence, especially on a controversial topic. Evidence behind your hot take about pineapple on pizza isn’t necessary, but it is for arguments about topics with more serious implications like heated political or social issues.
A controversial opinion may also lead children to bully others online for liking different things. It’s important to teach children to be curious rather than judgemental of opinions they don’t understand. Kids who are being cyberbullied should also tell an adult and block the bully.
How Parents Can Encourage Healthy Discussions
It’s important for kids to know that they are welcome to express themselves, even when they have hot takes. When a child’s opinion is dismissed or they feel that they are not accepted, they may socially withdraw, which can cause loneliness and low self-regard.
Talking About Hot Takes
• Ask open-ended questions like, “What do you think about when I say ‘hot take?’ What’s your immediate reaction when someone tells you an opinion you disagree with? How do you resolve differences of opinion with your friends?”
• Talk about critical debate and conversation skills like criticizing the idea behind the argument rather than the person. Point out that facts, not personal accusations, are the driving force behind good conversation.
• Emphasize that discussing opinions is not about winning or being mean, it’s about learning more about others and their thoughts and attempting to reach a common ground.
Encourage your children to speak kindly to others and be patient with other opinions, even if they disagree. Kids should also know how to seek out and trust reliable information by becoming more media literate.
It helps when kids understand the impact that their words have, especially when they believe they’re protected by a screen. Digital citizenship is a vital part of the conversation about online behavior.
Of course, we can’t expect kids to learn digital citizenship and media literacy all at once. Learning how to behave and engage with others online takes time, and children need close guidance and guardrails as they grow.
Kid-safe devices don’t come with all of the built-in apps, websites, and social media. Instead, kids can learn how to connect without leaving a potentially harmful digital footprint.
What did we miss? What are some hot takes your kids have? How do you discuss hot takes in your house? Let us know in the comments!
Author Morgan Dye
Morgan is a Gabb staff writer. She joined Gabb because she is dedicated to keeping children safe online. She loves watercolor and is an accomplished actress who can be found acting in her local theater productions.
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