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A major concern for many parents is what their kids are up to online. This is an entirely new realm for the current generation of parents and for anyone that’s never seen the oft-publicized “To Catch a Predator”, it’s evident that there are literally thousands upon thousands of predators online seeking to exploit children. Aside from this, some parents just want to know what sort of topics their kids are so intent on instant messaging and texting to each other. With this in mind, I’ve collated a list of a few common abbreviations that parents inevitably see on their childrens’ correspondence, but have no idea what the heck they mean. The following monikers are probably being used by your children and their invisible friends with the assumption that you have know idea what they’re up to when you glance over their shoulder at the monitor and with this list you can arm yourself with some nifty chat/IM knowledge:
9 – Parent is watching
?4U – I have a question for you
^5 – high five
<w> – wink
@-/- – a rose
:~) – cute
;-P – sticking tongue out
A3 – Anytime, anywhere, anyplace
AAP – Always a pleasure
ASL – Age/Sex/Location
BF – boyfriend or best friend
CAM – Camera
CU – See you
F2F – Face to face
ILY – I love you
L2G – Like to go?
PCM – Please call me
SYS – See you soon
WUF – Where are you from?
While every one of the aforementioned abbreviations could be completely innocent in nature, many of these (especially those in red) could also be code for a predator’s desire to take advantage of your child. Remember, kids think they’re invincible and nobody can pull one over on them. But the reality is, thousands of children per year are exploited and as evidenced by the widely publicized television coverage and perv dragnets, there’s an army of them looking to step in and continue the cycle.
Can’t remember all these?
Just bookmark this page or subscribe in a reader and you can always jot down the perplexing jargon you see on your kids’ device and check it out.
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It always helps to have the text code/lingo down. It is fast learned if you text that way with your kids so you learn it. A lot of younger adults are using this same texting lingo.
from a concerned parent!