A Parent's Guide to IM
Being a concerned parent, you wander up to watch your teenager engage in instant messaging (IM) on the computer, cell phone, or on any other electronic gadget that sends messages.
You notice a received message on the screen: LMIRL
Suddenly, your offspring realizes you are observing and sends the message, "GTG. MOS."
Huh?
You have just encountered three acronyms that teens use to communicate through instant messaging. Acronyms are simply a shortened way of communicating a longer message-as when NATO is used to refer to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, for example. However, an entire acronym-based language has developed to accommodate computer users' need for brevity and speed.
You probably use a few acronyms yourself in e-mail or chats. Almost everybody knows DH (dear husband), BF or BG (boyfriend or girlfriend), LOL (laughing out loud), ROFL (rolling on floor laughing), and RTFM (read the fine manual). Acronyms are particularly prevalent in IM and chat, and with teen users, the ability to confuse adults is an added bonus.
In the messages exchanged above, the person at the other end has suggested: "Let's Meet in Real Life."
And, upon sensing your presence, your teen has replied, "Got to Go. Mom Over Shoulder."
He or she might also have said: PAW (Parents are Watching), P911 (Parental Emergency), CD9 (Code 9, meaning parents are around), POS (Parents Over Shoulder), PLOS (Parents Looking Over Shoulder), PIR (Parent in Room) or AITR (Adult in the Room).
According to CNET News, research shows that one in four kids uses this type of code every day to warn their friends that prying parental eyes are nearby. Happily, confused parents can find help through a number of Web sites dedicated to helping keep kids safe.
TeenChatDecoder
According to TeenChatDecoder, you need to know 15 key acronyms that might indicate that your youth is engaged in dangerous behavior, or is trying to hide something. In addition to the ones mentioned above, this site lists S2R (Send to Receive [pictures]), E or X (Ecstasy [the drug]), ASL(R P) (meaning Age Sex Location (Race/Picture), and TDTM (Talk Dirty to Me).
The site contains a database of IM acronyms that it claims is the largest teen acronym database available on the Net. Simply add the term you want explained into the search box, hit Enter, and you receive the definition. If you've come across something that isn't in the site's database, there's a feature that allows you to add an acronym.
If you're looking for a more convenient way of checking on acronyms, rather than returning to the Web site every time you come across something you don't understand, the free TeenChatDecoder software is available for download and desktop installation. The site says that it is true freeware, with no pop-ups or spying functions built in.
There are a number of other resources at this site, including several articles about Internet safety, a free safety newsletter published every two weeks, and information about dangers inherent in My Space and other social networking sites. You'll also find a link to an Internet Safety DVD. The DVD typically sells for $19.95, but it is available free of charge courtesy of the National Alert Registry. A shipping charge applies.
TeenAngels
TeenAngels is a group of youths between 13 and 18 years of age who volunteer their time to promote Internet safety. A branch of WiredSafety.org, this group has been specially trained by local law enforcement and other safety experts on all aspects of online safety, privacy and security.
Although TeenAngels run "real life" training programs in schools, the Web site contains resources written for teenagers, by teenagers. These resources will also be of interest to parents. For example, you might check out the safety tips for social networking sites, a guide to safe gaming, a guide to wireless networking, and a chat translator that shows the definition of more than 1,600 acronyms.
NoSlang.com
The 20-something engineer who runs this site says he's not popular with teens, but parents love him. Like TeenChatDecoder, this site offers an "Internet slang dictionary and decoder."
The site reads, "Ever tried to read your son or daughter's Live Journal or MySpace page, and had such a hard time understanding it that you had to stop after only a few sentences? Not anymore. Just copy and paste it into No Slang.com, and we'll tell you what the heck they're talking about. You'll never be made fun of on instant messenger or IRC ever again; plus, you'll be able to impress your kids by speaking their language."
I'm not convinced that "impress" adequately describes the response you're likely to generate from your teens, but maybe that's just me. You can also use a Slang Dictionary that you either search or access by letter of the alphabet. A paperback version of this dictionary is sold at Amazon.
The site also contains Internet slang-related articles, a slang quiz, and a new addition: a Drug Slang Translator. Copy and paste the text that you think may be drug-related, and you'll get the translation.
This site provides some plug-ins for Internet Explorer, Firefox and Google Toolbar that will make your life easier if you're committed to translating your teen's messages. The site also has a Slang Submission form, where you can enter a new slang term you've come across.
The English-to-12-Year-Old AOLer Translator
NoSlang.com links to this site with a somewhat rude comment that I won't repeat here. This translator is for those of us who want the reverse translation. When you enter text, the site translates it to the language that a 12-year-old AOLer would allegedly use. Try entering "I have to go. My mom is watching me," and see what you get!
The sites above contain links to other, similar sites that help confused parents make sense of IM acronyms and slang. However, as CNET News points out, the kids create acronyms and slang faster than the translators can incorporate the terms in their databases. Also, groups of teens sometimes create their own private "language" or "words" known only to them. The translators will fall short in situations such as this.
