Whether one uses a computer, gaming device or cell phone, children are speaking a whole new language these days. It is a form of shorthand, known as acronyms or Internet chat lingo, and it’s all the rage these days.
What are acronyms? Acronyms are abbreviations that are formed by combining initial letters, groups of letters or parts of words, such as NASA or FBI.
By using acronyms, one can avoid wasting precious time spelling out long words, such as “be right back”, or “talk to you later”. Acronyms provide an alternative method to communicate with others in a special kind of code, without parents or other adults knowing what exactly is being said.
In order to keep children safer online, it is crucial parents and educators stay informed, educated and up-to-date on the latest electronic and Internet trends. Below, are several examples of this type of acronym jargon. (Note: Some terms listed below may not be appropriate for younger children, but are important for parents to learn).
- ASL - Age/Sex/Location
- AFK- Away From Keyboard
- ADR – Address
- AUD-Are You Done?
- AV- Avatar
- BBL- Be Back Later
- BF, B/F-Boyfriend
- BRB- Be Right Back
- BFN-Bye For Now
- F2F-Face To Face
- GAL-Get a Life
- GF, G/F-Girlfriend
- GYPO - Get Your Pants Off
- IWSN - I Want Sex Now
- KPC - Keeping Parents Clueless
- KFY - Kiss For You
- LMIRL - Let's Meet In Real Life (the one you never want to see)
- MorF - Male or Female
- MOS-Mom over Shoulder
- MOOS - Member(s) Of the Opposite Sex
- MOSS or MOTSS - Member(s) Of The Same Sex
- NALOPKT - Not A Lot Of People Know That
- NP-No Problem
- NIFOC - Nude In Front Of Computer
- PIR - Parent in Room
- PITA-Pain in the Ass
- POS - Parent Over Shoulder
- P911 - Parent Alert
- PAW - Parents Are Watching
- PAL - Parents Are Listening
- ROTL-Roll on the Floor
- SorG - Straight or Gay
- TDTM - Talk Dirty To Me
- WYCM - Will You Call Me?
- WTGP-Want to go Private?
There are many more acronyms available. For more information regarding acronyms or computer lingo, visit Acronymfinder, an informative website that has been online for 10 years, and has over 500,000 terms.
As parents and educators, it is important to be aware of this kind of electronic slang and to be educated in knowing what children are really saying.
