Survey Reveals Cities with the Rudest Kids in America.
Memphis Takes The Lead For America’s Rudest Kids And Here’s Why.
Do you often feel like you’re dodging eye rolls and enduring loud music from the younger generation? You’re not alone. A survey conducted in 2024 by Solitaired has shed light on the cities with the rudest kids in America, offering an intriguing look at children’s behavior across the country.
The Rudest Cities
According to the survey, each city received a “rudeness score” from 0 to 100. Memphis, TN, topped the list with a score of 99.6, earning the dubious honor of having the rudest kids. Philadelphia, which held the top spot in 2023, came in a close second with a score of 97.2, followed by Baltimore, MD. Interestingly, Detroit was the only city where kids’ manners remained consistent, holding onto its 10th-place ranking from the previous year.
Common Rude Behaviors
The survey identified specific behaviors that Americans find most annoying in children. Leading the list are kids who are glued to their screens, often referred to as “phone zombies.” This behavior was most commonly reported by residents of Atlanta and Fort Worth, who consider it the most obnoxious trait in kids aged 9-17.
Following closely is the frequent use of swear words. Memphis residents reported the highest number of encounters with foul-mouthed youngsters, highlighting the issue of children using inappropriate language in public.
Another prevalent problem is kids playing loud music or videos in public. While this behavior is widespread, the survey indicated that no single city experiences it more than the national average.
Other reported rude behaviors include disorderly conduct and a general lack of manners, such as avoiding eye contact and ignoring people.
Who Bears the Brunt?
The survey also explored who Americans believe bears the brunt of kids’ bad behavior. The majority (44.5%) think parents face the most disrespect from children. However, a significant portion (28.4%) believe strangers endure the worst of it, while another 27.2% think kids direct their rudeness toward their peers.
In conclusion, the survey by Solitaired offers a revealing look at the cities with the rudest kids in America and the behaviors that annoy adults the most. Whether it’s phone zombies, foul language, or loud music, these findings highlight a growing concern about manners in the younger generation.
Key Figures on Rude Behaviors in Kids
- Top City for Rude Kids (2024): Memphis, TN, with a rudeness score of 99.6 out of 100.
- Resident Opinion: 89% of Memphis residents believe kids are ruder now than in the past.
- Second Rude City (2024): Philadelphia, PA, with a score of 97.2.
- Resident Ranking: Philadelphia residents rated kids’ rudeness at 7.6 out of 10.
- Rudeness Target: Nearly 1 in 2 Philadelphia residents believe kids are most rude to strangers.
- Third Rude City (2024): Baltimore, MD, with a score of 94.4.
- Teenage Rudeness: Baltimore residents consider teenagers (ages 13 to 17) to be the rudest.
- Rising Rudeness: Boston, MA; Indianapolis, IN; Fort Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Phoenix, AZ; and Nashville, TN, saw increases in misbehaving children from 2023 to 2024.
- Overall Perception: 72% of Americans think kids are ruder now than in the past.
- Least Rude Cities: Tucson, AZ; San Diego, CA; and Raleigh, NC, are among the cities least likely to witness bad behaviors from kids.
- Top Rude Behavior: Kids being absorbed in their phones is the most commonly seen rude behavior.
- Local Hotspots: Residents in Atlanta, GA, and Fort Worth, TX, are most likely to witness kids ignoring their surroundings due to phone use.
- Second Rude Behavior: Cursing is the next most reported rude behavior, especially noted by residents of Memphis, TN.
- Third Rude Behavior: Kids playing music or videos loudly in public is the third most common rude behavior.
- Consistent Trends: The same three behaviors (phone absorption, cursing, and loud music/videos) topped the list in both 2023 and 2024.
Impact on Others
- Parents: A majority of Americans believe parents bear the brunt of kids’ rude behaviors.
- Peers: 27% think children’s rude behaviors are mostly directed toward their peers.
- Strangers: 28% say strangers face the worst of kids’ rude behaviors.
Images credits : solitaired
Key Figures on Reasons for Rude Behaviors in Kids
- Top Reason: Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (75%) blame social media for kids being rude.
- Second Reason: 66% of people believe the behaviors stem from a lack of respect for others.
- Third Reason: Americans blame bad personal role models (parents, siblings, friends) for the rude behaviors.
- Fourth Reason: Kids being spoiled is seen as a major cause.
- Fifth Reason: Bad famous role models (influencers and celebrities) are also blamed.
- Additional Factors:
- 42% of Americans think poor health causes children to misbehave.
- Nearly 2 in 5 people blame gentle parenting for kids’ rude behaviors.
Overview
The 2024 survey by Solitaired identified the cities with the rudest kids in America, with Memphis, TN, Philadelphia, PA, and Baltimore, MD, topping the list. Memphis has the least polite children, scoring 99.6 in rudeness. Conversely, Tucson, AZ, San Diego, CA, and Raleigh, NC, have the most well-mannered kids.
Common rude behaviors include kids being absorbed in their phones, using foul language, and playing loud music or videos in public. Social media is a significant factor, with nearly 75% of Americans blaming it for the rise in rude behavior. About 72% believe children are ruder in 2024 compared to previous years.
Detroit, MI, is the only city showing no change in behavior, maintaining its 10th-place ranking. Meanwhile, cities like Indianapolis, IN, Fort Worth, TX, Boston, MA, Houston, TX, Phoenix, AZ, and Nashville, TN, saw increased rudeness rankings.
Overall, the survey reveals varying children’s behavior across cities, highlighting both the rudest and most polite young residents and emphasizing the impact of social media on manners.
