You are probably already familiar with terms like OMG, LOL and WTF, but teen texting lingo
does not end there. Chances are your kids speak text far be
tter than you do, but it is important to
stay as fluent as possible.
While many texting terms are harmless – the equivalent of
slang used by teens of every
generation – others are more worrying. There are texting acronyms for everything from sex and
violence to drug use and smoking. Knowing what all those acronyms mean will make it easy to
spot potential dangers and counsel your kids on how to stay safe.
If you spot any of these acronyms on your child’s phone or
in their browsing history, you might
want to schedule time for a face-to-face chat.
MOS in teen speak means Mom Over Shoulder. If you see your child or teen typing in this
acronym, you would be right to wonder what they have to hide.
PAL, PAW and PIR are similar acronyms, translating to Parents Are Listening, Parents Are
Watching and Parents in Room respectively. Again, this lingo c
ould indicate that a young person
has something to hide.
You may already know that 420 is code for marijuana, so keep a sharp eye out for this
troublesome number. That is not the only number you need to
watch out for – 1174 is teen speak
for an invitation to a wild party – one that may include drugs, alcohol and sex.
The acronym IWSN translates to I Want Sex Now. If you spot
this text on your teen’s phone, it is
time for an immediate conversation about risky behavior.
GNOC is nearly as bad. This common teen-speak acronym means
Get Naked on Camera, and it
is often an invitation to sexting and other inappropriate
behavior. Parents who spot this
troublesome text should take the opportunity to point out that anything posted on the Internet is
there forever.
F2F and LMIRL could be indications that your teen has fallen victim to an online predator.
These two texting terms mean Face to Face and Let’s Meet
in Real Life. If you spot either term,
your son or daughter’s safety could be at risk.
As a parent, it is your job to keep your child safe. In the
Internet age, safety means more than
teaching them how to cross the street and not to talk to strangers. Taking a proactive approach to
their use of technology can enhance their safety, improve your relationship and keep them from
making mistakes that could last a lifetime.
