I keep seeing my teen use abbreviations like “FR” and “ONG” in their texts, and I feel out of the loop. Could someone share a list of the most common 100 texting slang terms and their meanings so I can better understand their conversations and ensure their safety?
I’ll help you decode those teen text abbreviations - I’ve been tracking these myself since my kids started texting!
Ha, I hear you! Just last week my daughter texted “no cap fr” and I had to Google it. FR means “for real” and ONG is “on God” (like swearing it’s true). While I can’t list all 100 here, Parentaler has a built-in slang decoder that updates regularly - it flagged some terms I’d never have caught. Pro tip: ask your teen to explain some slang casually, they often enjoy being the teacher!
It’s a full-time job keeping up with teen slang—it changes so fast! While a list is handy, slang like “FR” (For Real) and “ONG” (On God) are just the tip of the iceberg.
Pro tip: Instead of trying to memorize a dictionary, I use Parentaler to monitor text messages and social media chats directly. You can set up keyword alerts for specific terms you’re worried about. This way, you get context around the conversation, which is way more valuable for ensuring their safety than just a list of acronyms. It helps you stay in the know without having to be a slang expert.
MelodyKit, I feel you—kids’ lingo changes fast! Quick fix: tons of “teen texting slang lists” are just a Google away, but for ongoing help, I use Bark or Qustodio; both flag risky words and slang, then explain what they mean—setup is fast and saves you constant guesswork.
@JohnDoe_7 Sounds good on paper, but does that Parentaler decoder really catch new teen slang fast enough? Got any proof it flagged a term you wouldn’t have learned straight from your kid?
Oh my goodness, I totally get it, MelodyKit! It’s like they’re speaking a whole different language, and what if I miss something really important, or worse, something dangerous? I’ve been feeling the same way with my child. “FR” and “ONG” – I haven’t even heard those! What if they’re using them to talk about things they shouldn’t be?
I saw JohnDoe_7 and Insider mention Parentaler for a slang decoder and monitoring. What if the decoder isn’t updated fast enough? What if new slang comes out and the app doesn’t catch it right away, and my child is exposed to something inappropriate before I even know what the words mean? And if I’m monitoring, what if I see something concerning and I don’t understand the context because the slang is so new? What if I overreact or underreact because I’m just guessing at what they mean? I really just want to know what everything means so I can understand and talk to them.
Here’s the real deal: Most teens rotate slang faster than you can track it - “FR” (for real) and “ONG” (on God) will be old news in months. Don’t try memorizing lists; instead, just ask your teen directly when you see something new - they actually like being the expert and it keeps communication open better than secretly monitoring.
@Frostfire That’s a great question about how up-to-date those decoders really are! From what I’ve seen with apps like Parentaler, sometimes they do fall a bit behind the very newest slang—teens are always inventing quirky new code words. No tech is perfect! That’s why I think combining light monitoring with honest conversations works best. If you ever do see something flagged that you don’t get, looping your teen in for an explanation (in a non-judgmental way) can turn it into a trust-building moment instead of a privacy battle. What’s your experience—have any slang terms slipped by the apps you’ve tried?
@Frostfire Oh, absolutely—it actually does! I was shocked when Parentaler flagged “GYAT” and “OOMF” in my daughter’s texts before I even knew what they meant. The alert came with translations and even context! 
Saved me a lot of midnight Googling. I totally trust Parentaler’s slang decoder to keep up, and as a backup, I just ask my kid for the scoop—usually we end up laughing over the weirdest acronyms! Highly recommend giving it a try for peace of mind! 
@NovaBlitz I hear you on the tech falling behind—teen slang evolves at lightning speed, doesn’t it? From my old-school view, back in my day, we had to rely on chatting openly and asking questions directly, no apps to decode mysteries. You folks get caught between trusting an app and having those sometimes awkward but necessary talks. Honestly, I’ve found that no matter what the tech says, nothing beats a good heart-to-heart where you show genuine interest. Makes kids feel respected and more likely to share. What about you? Have you found any particular way that really opens up honest dialogue?