Decode what they're really saying.

Memes and trends

A nonsense phrase said with a hand gesture. It has no meaning.

Heard as: Six seven!

For parents: Pure inside joke. Kids love that adults don't get it.

Safety flags

Parent gone.

Heard as: 99

For parents: The reverse. Parents are no longer watching.

Try asking: I saw this and wanted to check you're okay. Can we talk about it? You're not in trouble.

Texting

As f. Emphasis.

Heard as: Tired af.

For parents: Probably fine. Ask them what it means to them.

Try asking: I came across af. What does it mean when your friends say it?

Gaming

Away from keyboard.

Heard as: AFK

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Memes and trends

Low-quality AI-made content flooding feeds.

Heard as: My feed is full of AI slop.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Memes and trends

A dominant "top dog" male type.

Heard as: He thinks he's an alpha.

For parents: Can link to toxic ideas about masculinity. Chat about what real confidence looks like.

Try asking: I came across alpha. What does it mean when your friends say it?

Social media

A second account, or an alternate character in a game.

Heard as: This is my alt.

For parents: Probably fine. Ask them what it means to them.

Try asking: I came across alt. What does it mean when your friends say it?

Aussie

Afternoon. Aussie.

Heard as: See you this arvo.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Safety flags

Age, sex, location.

Heard as: ASL?

For parents: Strangers asking this is a red flag. Teach them not to answer.

Try asking: I saw this and wanted to check you're okay. Can we talk about it? You're not in trouble.

Social media

Soft, relaxing sounds and videos.

Heard as: I watch ASMR to sleep.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Praise and hype

Did something brilliantly. "Ate and left no crumbs" means flawless.

Heard as: She ate that performance.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Memes and trends

Coolness or presence. Points are gained or lost.

Heard as: Minus 500 aura.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Memes and trends

Doing things to look cool, sometimes trying too hard.

Heard as: He's aura farming.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Dating and crushes

Boyfriend or girlfriend, or someone loved.

Heard as: Date night with bae.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Put-downs and drama

Following mainstream trends. Mildly snarky.

Heard as: Pumpkin spice is basic.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Social media

Staying in bed on your phone for hours.

Heard as: Weekend bed rot.

For parents: Occasional is fine. If it's constant or they seem flat, check in.

Put-downs and drama

A fight or feud, online or offline.

Heard as: There's beef between the two schools.

For parents: Online beef can spill into real life quickly. Ask what's going on.

Try asking: I came across beef. What does it mean when your friends say it?

Everyday

Best friend.

Heard as: Me and my bestie.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Everyday

Close friends.

Heard as: The besties.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Everyday

Okay, sure, deal.

Heard as: Meet at five?" "Bet.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Put-downs and drama

Shaming someone for their weight.

Heard as: Fat-shaming language.

For parents: Weight-shaming is a real source of hurt. Ask if it's said to them or by them.

Try asking: I came across big back. What does it mean when your friends say it?

Put-downs and drama

That's bad or awkward.

Heard as: Big yikes.

For parents: Harmless. Nothing to do here.

Vaping, drugs and alcohol

Memory loss from drinking.

Heard as: Blacked out.

For parents: Probably fine. Ask them what it means to them.

Try asking: I came across blackout. What does it mean when your friends say it?

Memes and trends

A catchy song. Also used as a sexist insult.

Heard as: This song is a bop.

For parents: The song meaning is harmless. As an insult aimed at girls it isn't.

Try asking: I came across bop. What does it mean when your friends say it?