A viral Vietnamese Facebook group called “I hate my parents” now has almost 400,000 followers. Understanding why so many teens join can help parents and teachers support them better.

The group serves as a platform where children share personal trauma, family conflicts and disagreements. Its rapid growth indicates that many youths feel their home situation is not being heard.

Clinical psychologist Hoang Quoc Lan says the word “hate” often hides an unfulfilled desire to be heard and reflects mislabeled emotions. She explains that a child may use “hate” because they lack the words to describe their hurt.

Lan adds that when children cannot confide in parents or relatives, they look for a perceived safe space on social media. During adolescence, the need for belonging, recognition and empathy becomes especially strong, pushing them toward substitute communities.

When families fail to provide communication and emotional acknowledgment, children turn to online groups as an alternative. Lan advises parents to start a conversation with a simple question, listen first, and build connection before a crisis occurs, rather than reacting only after discovering group participation.