Dictionary helps parents decode social media speak

PARENTS concerned that their children are offering to GNOC and give away their ASL will be able to decode social media using a language guide launched by the UK government.

Many parents are worried over the risks of their children accessing social media. Picture: Getty

The dictionary translates “popular teen chat acronyms”, including get naked on camera (GNOC) and age, sex, location (ASL) often used by children using anonymous chat rooms to disclose their personal details.

The tool will help eagle-eyed parents spot when their child issues a P999, also known as a parent alert, or a CD9 (Code 9), to make their online friends aware their parents are around.

Many of the terms deal with the issue of online sexual relationships, including IWSN (I want sex now), and LMIRL (let’s meet in real life).

The guide is part of Parent Info, an online service announced today by the Department for Education, which aims to provide tips on navigating teenage life and give adults the confidence to talk about sensitive topics with their children.

Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities Nicky Morgan said it was crucial that parents were educated on how to keep their children safe online.

She 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. I hope all schools take advantage of this new resource, which addresses fundamental issues like cyber bullying, so they can help protect children in this digital age.

“Cyber bullying, which is now more common than face-to-face bullying, is just one of the areas that Parent Info tackles.”

The website has been developed by the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) and The Parent Zone.

Its newsfeed will be integrated into school websites, and can also be accessed at www.parentinfo.org.

Last year a survey revealed that parents were more concerned about their children’s use of social media services than any other online activity.

Itfound that social media was the only online activity for which more parents believed the harms outweighed the benefits.

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR…

Some terms from the new government guide to social media speak, and what they mean:

ASL – age, sex, location (could mean your child uses an anonymous chat room)

CD9 – Code 9 (meaning parents are around)

GNOC – get naked on camera

KPC – keep parents clueless

IRL – in real life

MIRL – meeting in real life

LMIRL – let’s meet in real life (fine if it’s their friends)

IWSN – I want sex now

MOOS – member of the opposite sex

P911/P999 – parent alertPAW – parents are watching

POS/MOS – parents over shoulder/mum over shoulder

RU/18 – are you over 18?

WYRN – what’s your real name?