Understanding Internet Slang

Internet slang manifests in a variety of ways, such as abbreviations, coded language, emojis, and terms that have multiple interpretations.

It's primarily utilized in text-based conversations among younger demographics, whether via emails, SMS, or chat platforms.

While some forms of internet slang are innocuous and merely enhance the efficiency of communication or add a sense of style, others can signal potential dangers, acting as warning signs for risky behavior among youth.

To effectively support their children in navigating these treacherous online waters, parents must stay informed about the evolving digital environment.

This article will delve into the nature of internet slang, its purposes, and offer guidance on how to safeguard your child’s online interactions and privacy.

Internet slang can take numerous shapes, often relying on abbreviations, coded phrases, or words with hidden meanings.

We'll include a glossary and extra resources at the conclusion of this article, but for now, here are some slang terms you might encounter in your child's conversations:

As digital communication has progressed, many phrases have been shortened for convenience or to convey sensitive content discreetly.

You might already recognize some popular acronyms like lol (laugh out loud) and omg (oh my god), along with more explicit expressions like wtf (what the f***?).

However, it's essential to note that children have developed a wide array of abbreviations over time, such as pal (parents are listening), wttp (want to trade pictures?), and iwsn (I want sex now).

The use of emojis has also expanded significantly, providing a richer palette for expression in messaging than ever before.

Understanding internet slang can be quite a challenge for parents, as many symbols and phrases carry meanings that aren't immediately clear.

For instance, an eggplant emoji is often a metaphor for male genitalia, while a peach emoji can symbolize a backside. Similarly, three droplets, which might appear to represent sweat, can actually refer to ejaculation.

In addition to emojis, there are phrases that sound innocent but have a hidden significance. Take "Netflix and chill," for example; it's frequently a euphemism for engaging in sexual activity. The term "dabbing" has also evolved to denote the act of consuming concentrated cannabis.

Another layer of internet language is leetspeak, where numbers and symbols substitute for letters that they resemble. This form of communication often includes misspellings, anagrams, and phonetic spellings to create a unique coded language.

Leetspeak is not as frequently used in everyday conversations among kids but is more common in online communities, particularly those associated with gaming, illegal activities, adult content, and hacking. Examples include "h4x" for hacks and "pr0n" for pornography.

While some internet slang can be harmless, many abbreviations serve to streamline communication, reflecting the shift from traditional phone conversations to digital messaging among both kids and adults. Using slang can be a way for young people to fit in and seem "cool" among their peers.

However, it's important to note that children often employ slang to keep their messages obscure from parents or other adults. This means that even if you're vigilant about monitoring your child’s online interactions, you might still miss the meaning behind their words.

For example, "sexting" refers to the exchange of sexually explicit messages and images, which can pose significant risks, especially for minors. Recognizing these terms and their implications is crucial for maintaining open lines of communication with your child.While sexting is often associated with underage sexual activity, its consequences extend beyond that.

When messages, photos, or videos are shared irresponsibly, they can become tools for cyberbullying or personal vendettas .

There's also the concerning issue of extortion, often referred to as sextortion, where such content can fall into the hands of malicious individuals, including pedophiles.

It's important to note that in various regions, possessing or distributing nude images of minors is considered a crime, even if the individuals involved are minors themselves.

This legal framework also covers the creation and sharing of one’s own nude selfies.

Terms like gnoc (get naked on camera) and tdtm (talk dirty to me) are examples of sexting jargon that may raise alarm when found in your child's texts.

To assist parents in navigating this modern slang, the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) shared an informative graphic on their Facebook page, highlighting some of the texting lingo that is currently prevalent.

A recent infographic has been published by Bark, an app designed for parental oversight. This resource aims to help parents better understand the evolving language their children use online. It covers the latest internet slang terms and their meanings, making it easier for parents to stay connected with their kids' digital conversations. This tool is essential in bridging the gap between generations in the ever-changing landscape of online communication.

Conversations your child has with online acquaintances can be particularly risky.
The anonymity of the internet allows individuals to adopt false identities, making it difficult to gauge who they are truly communicating with.
Phrases like "ru/18" (are you over 18?) and "wyrn" (what's your real name?) should raise immediate concerns.

Children often prefer to use coded language to discuss sensitive topics,
like drugs, sexual encounters, or secret meeting places, in order to keep their discussions hidden from parents.
Terms such as "pir" (parent in room) and "sos" (someone over shoulder) are used as signals to indicate when parental presence is a concern, necessitating discretion.

You might encounter slang like "1174" (meet at a party), "420" (marijuana), and "cu46" (see you for sex) in these discussions.
The abbreviation "mirl" (meet in real life?) is common when planning in-person meetings with someone met online.

Slang is particularly prevalent on torrenting and gaming forums.
While many activities within these spaces are legal, there are also gray areas.
Engaging in illegal downloading can lead to significant legal repercussions, including hefty fines and potential jail time.

Though enforcement might seem infrequent, copyright trolls often target users of torrent sites,
pressuring them into settlements to avoid the costs of a legal battle.
This makes it easy for someone, unknowingly, to cross legal boundaries.

Additionally, the marketplace for illegal drugs has evolved.
What used to occur in hidden corners is now accessible online,
with virtually any substance available for purchase through e-commerce platforms.While the dark web is notorious for illicit activities, it's important to note that regular websites, including online pharmacies, also pose significant risks.

These online platforms often offer "prescription" medications without requiring any actual prescriptions from licensed healthcare professionals.

The lack of stringent regulations compared to traditional pharmacies raises serious concerns about the authenticity and safety of the products being sold.

Recently, a website known as “canadadrugs.com” faced legal action and penalties for engaging in illegal practices, which included the distribution of counterfeit medications.

What’s particularly alarming is that this site continued its operations despite having its license suspended, highlighting the challenges in monitoring such online activities.

Now, if you attempt to access that domain, you'll be redirected to a notice issued by the US government.

If you suspect your child is engaging in risky online behavior, particularly related to drug purchases, it’s crucial to pay attention to their communication.

Look for specific abbreviations in their texts or social media interactions. Terms like "doc" (drug of choice), "x" or "e" (ecstasy), "h" (heroin), and "oxy" (oxycontin) can be indicators. Be aware that many substances have various street names, so keeping a reference list could be beneficial.

Furthermore, you might encounter concerning phrases such as "kms" (kill myself) and "kys" (kill yourself). While these can sometimes be used lightheartedly, they often reflect deeper emotional struggles like depression or suicidal thoughts. Kids might feel more at ease discussing these feelings with peers rather than with parents, emphasizing the need for parental vigilance.

It's a misconception that kids’ use of internet slang is completely private. In reality, a third party can often interpret these messages, which may lead to unwanted risks.

Additionally, if your child is sharing inappropriate content online, platforms like Facebook utilize advanced scanning technologies to detect such material. If flagged, these sites may alert authorities without your knowledge.

In situations where your child's behavior is illegal or harmful, it’s essential to intervene and address it directly. However, there are also strategies to enhance your child’s safety and privacy online.

First, it's vital to create a partnership with your child in online safety. They need to understand the importance of their actions and the potential repercussions. Foster an environment for open dialogue, ensuring they feel comfortable discussing these issues with you.

Guiding Children's Online Safety

Monitoring your child's online interactions can be quite challenging, and attempting to track every single message is often not the most effective strategy.

This approach can quickly become overwhelming, resembling a full-time job, and kids are usually clever enough to find ways around parental controls until you catch on.

Instead, focus on teaching them about online security and the importance of protecting their personal information from an early age, as these skills will benefit them throughout their lives.

Rather than outright banning social media or messaging apps, encourage safe online practices. Teach them to avoid accepting friend requests from strangers, refrain from sharing personal information like home addresses or phone numbers, and to keep their real-time location private, especially when they are by themselves.

Creating an environment where they feel comfortable admitting mistakes is also crucial. Let them know it’s perfectly fine to make errors and that they can come to you without fear of punishment.

As the landscape of internet slang and communication platforms is ever-evolving, it's important to stay informed about the latest trends and how children are interacting with these tools, including any associated risks.

Just because your child is using a messaging app doesn't guarantee they grasp the possible dangers. A constructive way to address this is by discussing the negative outcomes that can result from certain online behaviors, using relatable, real-life scenarios rather than resorting to fear tactics.

This should foster an open dialogue between you and your child, allowing you to explore these topics together.

While it's natural to want to keep tabs on your child’s messages, you should also respect their privacy. Teach them how to manage their privacy settings effectively, ensuring that their posts and messages remain private. For guidance on adjusting privacy settings for popular social media platforms, refer to our dedicated resources on protecting children's online privacy.

It's important to teach children about safety online, including the use of fake personal information when necessary. While honesty is a virtue, there are times when disclosing personal details isn't required, and this can help protect them.

In addition to guiding your child on adjusting their privacy settings, introducing them to secure messaging apps is essential. These platforms help keep conversations private and safe from prying eyes. Some top choices include Signal, WhatsApp, and Telegram , which we have reviewed in detail.

Using a VPN is another effective way to safeguard online activity. A VPN encrypts all internet traffic, including messages, and routes it through a secure server. This means even if data is intercepted, it remains unreadable to outsiders, significantly reducing the risk of cyber threats.

Setting up a VPN is straightforward and affordable. You can choose to install it directly on individual devices or opt for a VPN router to extend protection to all devices connected to your home network.

ExpressVPN stands out as a top choice for comprehensive online protection. Its robust security features are paired with an easy setup process, allowing you to even purchase routers that come pre-configured, ensuring your entire family is safeguarded with minimal hassle.

It's common for parents to feel uneasy about their children navigating the internet without guidance. The best approach to monitoring should involve the child's awareness and agreement, making it a part of a broader conversation about online privacy and safety.

A straightforward method to keep an eye on social media activity is by creating your own account on the same platform and connecting with your child by “friending” or “following” them. To keep tabs on their messages and emails, you would need their login information or may look into installing monitoring applications.

Attempting to read every message on your own can be overwhelming, which is where monitoring tools can be beneficial. Applications like Bark and uKnowKids can alert you to any suspicious activity and even identify commonly used slang terms that might be concerning.

Here’s a concise list of popular internet slang and abbreviations to help you get started:

• 1174 – Meet at a party

  
  

• 182 – I hate you

  
  

• 420 – Marijuana

  
  

• asl – Age/Sex/Location

  
  

• bms – Breaks my scale; used for rating someone

  
  

• cd9 – Parents are around

  
  

• cu46 – See you for sex

  
  

• dabbing – Refers to concentrated cannabis use; also a dance move

  
  

• fboi – A guy seeking casual sex

  
  

• fwb – Friends with benefits

  
  

• fyeo – For your eyes only

  
  

• gnoc – Get naked on camera

  
  

• gypo – Get your pants off

  
  

• iwsn – I want sex now

  
  

• juul – A discreet e-cigarette; uses pods

  
  

• kms – Kill myself

  
  

• kpc – Keeping parents clueless

  
  

• kys – Kill yourself

  
  

• lmirl – Let’s meet in real life

  
  

• mos – Mom over shoulder

  
  

• netflix and chill – Casual meet-up that often leads to hooking up

  
  

• nifoc – Nude in front of computer

  
  

• p999 – Parent alert

  
  

• pal – Parents are listening

  
  

• paw – Parents are watching

  
  

• pir – Parent in room

  
  

• pos – Parents over shoulder

  
  

• ru/18 – Are you over 18?* smash – refers to engaging in casual sexual encounters.

  
  

• sos – indicates someone is watching or eavesdropping.

  
  

• stfu – an abbreviation for “shut the f**k up,” often used in disbelief or as a form of online harassment.

  
  

• tdtm – a request to engage in flirtatious or suggestive conversation.

  
  

• tf – shorthand for “the f**k.”

  
  

• thirsty – signifies a strong craving for attention, particularly of a sexual nature.

  
  

• thot – an acronym for “that hoe over there,” commonly used in place of “slut.”

  
  

• wttp – a request to exchange photographs.

  
  

• wuf – asking about someone's location.

  
  

• wyrn – inquiring about someone's real name.

  
  

For further insights, check these resources:

• Common Sense Media's PDF slang cheatsheet

  
  

• Bark's guide on teen text speak every parent should be aware of

  
  

• Speak Confident English's comprehensive list of internet slang

  
  

• Safe Surfing Kids' overview of chat room acronyms and slang

  
  

• Netlingo's extensive compilation of texting terms and abbreviations

  
  

• The Recovery Village's guide on popular drug slang

  
  

• Urban Dictionary for a broader understanding of evolving terms

  
  

Keep in mind that slang evolves rapidly, and these terms may not always reflect the latest usage. Additionally, variations may exist in different regions, with kids adopting unique phrases to convey similar ideas.

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