Parenting in the digital era comes with new challenges, one of them being the ever-changing language of teen texting. From acronyms to emojis, young people use shorthand that can feel like a completely different dialect. While much of it is harmless, some texting codes and slang can signal risky behaviour, emotional struggles, or attempts to hide conversations from parents.

Since we believe that awareness is the first step to connection. Decoding these texting acronyms isn’t about invading privacy, but about staying informed, supportive, and ready to step in if your child needs help. Here’s a list of the most common texting codes every parent should know.

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1. Emotional and Mental Health Codes:

Some texting codes can reveal a teen’s emotional state. Knowing them helps parents identify when to check in with care.

• KYS / KMS: Kill yourself / Kill myself
  Used casually by some teens, but can be alarming if tied to bullying or sadness. Always worth a gentle check-in.
   
• ISTG: I swear to God
  Often used to emphasise honesty but can also signal frustration or intensity.
   
• NVM: Never mind
  May reflect withdrawal or avoiding a topic in conversation.

2. Relationship and Sexual Slangs:

Not all acronyms are innocent, some relate to intimacy, dating, or sexual activity.

• FWB: Friends with benefits
• IWSN: I want sex now
• CU46: See you for sex
• 53X: Sex (numeric code)

Spotting these may be an opportunity to talk openly about healthy relationships, boundaries, and consent.

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3. Codes About Parents or Privacy:

Teens often signal when adults are nearby or monitoring.

• MOS / POS: Mom over shoulder / Parent over shoulder
• CD9: Code 9: parents around
• PAW: Parents are watching
• KPC: Keeping parents clueless

These codes are reminders that your child may be sharing things they don’t want you to see. Here, the aim is to build trust and not turn everything into a question mark.

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4. Everyday Teen Slangs:

Most texting acronyms fall in this category. They are casual, often harmless, and used for speed or humour. Here are some of the most common ones:

• BRB: Be right back
• BTW: By the way
• FOMO: Fear of missing out
• GOAT: Greatest of all time
• GTG: Got to go
• GR8: Great
• IMO: In my opinion
• ISO: In search of
• IYKYK: If you know, you know (usually hints at an inside joke)
• ILY: I love you
• IRL: In real life
• JK: Just kidding
• L8R: Later
• LMAO: Laughing my ass off
• LOL: Laughing out loud
• NP: No problem
• OMW: On my way
• OFC: Of course
• ROTF: Rolling on the floor (laughing)
• SMH: Shaking my head
• STFU: Shut the f** up*
• TBH: To be honest
• TYVM: Thank you very much
• WYA: Where you at?
• WYD: What you doing?
• WUF: Where you from?

These codes are part of everyday digital slang and don’t necessarily point to risk but knowing them helps parents stay in the loop.

5. Emoji Codes:

Emojis often act as secret codes.