Messages worth Noticing

Hey parents........look out for these slang terms.

Hopefully you have already read my previous blog about current slang terms. If not click here: slang blog

Now that I’ve uncovered some of the usual slang terms your teenager may be using, let’s look a little further into the slang terms you need to look out for. These are terms that are often about dangerous behavior, alcohol or drug use or other psychological needs. Here are some slang to look out for:

  • 420–Marijuana

  • 53X - Sex

  • 9–Short for “A parent is watching!”

  • CU46–Acronym for “See you for sex”

  • CU46 - See you for sex

  • Dexing - Abusing cough syrup

  • Down in the DM–Short for plans in their social media or texts for an oncoming sexual hook-up

  • GNOC–Acronym for “Get naked on camera!”

  • LMIRL - Let's meet in real life

  • Molly - MDMA, a dangerous party drug

  • Netflix ‘n Chill–To meet under the pretense of watching Netflix/TV together when actually planning to meet for “making out” or sex

  • NIFOC–Acronym for “Naked in front of their computer”

  • Smash - Casual sex

  • Thirsty–Being desperate for something

  • Turnt Up - To be high or drunk

  • WTTP - Want to trade photos?

  • X - Ecstasy

  • Zip Ghost - Someone who is high on marijuana and having a hard time functioning

https://www.urbandictionary.com/ Use this link to look up current slang words. Teens are also using secret  #hashtags to connect to other teenagers who engage in self- destructive or self- harming behaviors. These hashtags include: 

  • #sue: suicide

  • #deb: depression

  • #ana: anorexia

  • #thinsp: thinspiration (photos or messages that “inspire” an effort to become thin)

  • #svv: self-harming behavior

Messages Worth Noticing

It can seem overwhelming trying to keep up with the latest trends, slang words, social media apps, and internet sensations among teens. It is ever changing. 

Even though it is tough, every effort parents put into learning about it, will benefit their family. 

If you find a concerning #hashtag or slang word that you know means something dangerous or harmful to your teen, you have an opportunity to talk with your teen about it. 

Use this moment.

Teenagers, like all children, need time and attention from their parents. It may seem like they only care about their social life, their cell phones, and friends, but deep down every teen needs attention from their parents. If you do not give your teen positive attention by talking with them, they may seek out negative attention from you or others. These negative behaviors could be angry outbursts, seeking out sexually inappropriate relationships online, using pornography,  validating sense of self by attention from sexual attracted teens, drug use, bullying, destruction of property, criminal mischief or shocking attire and attitudes. Teens may say or act like they do not want to talk, but research has proven that teens need a connection with their parents. Therefore, it is always worth a parents time to attempt to connect with your teen daily. 

Examples of positive ways to connect with your teen are : 

  • ask them about their interests

  • sit by them when they play video games and ask questions about the game

  • Play the video game with them

  •  learn about the position they are playing in a sport, 

  • Become a fan of their favorite sports team, learn the stats, be able to talk the lingo with them.

  •  listen to the music they love at the time

  •   find something positive to say about it.

  • Tell story about being a teenager yourself, join with your teen

  • Share music that you liked at that time, discuss any similarities

  • Invite your teen to watch Netflix together

  • Get outside, go to beach, lake, hike, do an activity together

  • Make dinner together, something your teen chooses

  • Talk with your teen when you drive them to social events

  • Take your teen out for a smoothie or lunch

  • Talk to your teen every night before bed

All of these examples, give positive attention to your teen. Every minute you put into bonding with your teen and knowing him/her is worth it. If you feel your teen is pushing you away when you try to connect, don’t worry, this can be very normal. Parents, we are the adults in the family, we are more mature and our brains are fully developed. This means that we are the ones who should be making the effort to connect with our teens, not the other way around. When you are rejected ( and believe me, I know this happens ), breathe through it, and try again at a later time. Who knows the next time may be the moment you really connect and have some fun together. 

I hope some of these slang definitions are helpful to you learning about your teenagers and bridging any gap you may have in your relationship with them. 

Natalie Teeters, MS, psychotherapist