Parents are often encouraged to train their teens on online safety. That said, there are a few of us who actually know what our kids are saying in chat rooms across the globe.
Here are a few conversational abbreviations that should make you wiser:
• POS Parent over shoulder
• PRW Parents are watching
• PIR Parent in Room
• MOS Mom over shoulder
• A/S/L Age, Sex, Location
• BFN Boyfriend
• BF/GL Boyfriend, girlfriend
• CD9 Code nine, means parents are around
• MoRF Male or female
• Noob Often an insult to somebody who doesn’t know much about something
• P911 Parents Emergency
• S2R Send to receive (pictures)
• Warez Pirated software
And here are some really dangerous ones that should send the alarm bells ringing:
• PRON Porn
• TDTM Talk dirty to me
• NIFOC Naked in front of computer
• GNOC Get naked on cam (webcam)
• (L)MIRL Let’s meet in real life
• E or X, for the drug Ecstasy
If you find your children using the really dangerous codes, try to breach the issue gently with them to keep them from going into denial. You may hate most of these and feel like throwing that computer out. However, it’s better to handle the matter delicately and help them see the danger. Children look for alternatives when they have basic unsatisfied needs like parental care, concern, affection, or simply your presence with them. It will be easier to bring them around gently once you have identified what they are really seeking.