Online Chat Lingo

No that's not a mistake. Translation: "For your information, Mom over shoulder, parents are watching, scratching my head in disbelief...if you know what I mean." That's the shorthand your kids are speaking online and on their cell phones. It's a whole new world of technology and you'll be left out if you don't catch up. Communication is the key to keeping your kids safe while they use the latest technology.

The popularity of instant messaging, Internet chat rooms and text messaging has created a snappy new language to give users the ability to communicate quickly, but technology has opened a world of possibilities some of which can be dangerous. These days kids have instant access not only to their friends but also to a whole lot of slimy characters lurking online. The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to keep an eye on exactly what your kids are doing and saying.

No doubt you'll score points with your teenager by speaking their language. At AMW we're dedicated to keeping the Internet a safe, fun place for kids to hang out. Here's a downloadable list of chat lingo so you can open the lines of communication.