The UK government has published an online dictionary of texting slang and current lingo for parents. The list is created for parents who want to interpret what their kids and teenagers are saying to each other.
The UK Department for Education just launched a website known as Parent Info, which contains the list of teen texting slang, along with other words and lingo that kids may actually use in spoken conversation. The site was created by the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and The Parent Zone, a parent support organization. The website also counsels parents on how to deal with issues of specific concern to kids and teens such as body confidence and cyber bullying.
According to UK Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, Nicky Morgan, said "The internet is an incredibly powerful tool, which is changing the way our children learn and stay in touch. But we must also make sure we do everything we can to help them stay safe online. As a parent myself, I understand how important it is to know your child is safe and that's why this new online service is so important."
The online dictionary contains a list of what it considers to be the latest teen lingo, such as calling someone "basic", which is defined as a "generally negative term - can mean boring as much as it can mean clumsy/careless/gross", "bromance", described as "close friendship between, as you have probably already guessed, two boys", and "on fleek", which means "on point / executed really well."
The dictionary also includes a list of texting acronyms, many of which seem specifically designed to fool parents, such as POS/MOS (parents over shoulder/mum over shoulder), KPC (keep parents clueless), and P911/P999 (parent alert). The list also defines the old mainstays such as LOL and BRB, acknowledging that adults use these as well.
The website also acknowledges that some of the phrases may be regional or no longer in use, stating that "These terms come and go, becoming out of date or appearing out of nowhere quickly, and some expressions that are cool in one part of the country may be considered outdated in another." Certainly once teens become aware that their cover has been "blown up" (exposed) by this new website, they are sure to create some new code words that can't be sussed out and will once again leave their parents "baffed" (confused).
