AFK Meaning

AFK stands for Away From Keyboard.

AFK is a notice to others that a person will be away from his/her computer or offline.

How Is AFK Used? Use Cases & Examples

AFK means stay away from the keyboard, a phrase that lets other people know that you won’t be in front of the computer for a while. It is often used in games to remind other players that one is not in the game. It’s often used with another abbreviation – brb (be right back) to indicate that you’re taking a short break.

Examples of how your teen might use the slang term AFK:

  • I’m going AFK for the rest of the night.
  • I was kicked for being AFK in the game.
  • I wanted to take him to a deli, but like many in his family, he’s AFK.
  • Damn, I really want to go AFK right now.
  • He isn’t moving; I guess he’s AFK.

How to Identify If Your Kids Are Using the AFK Slang Word

Teen slang is like a completely different language. While most of it is harmless and clever, there are some words you should watch out for. Knowing the slang words your children use will allow you to protect them from risky behaviors or potentially dangerous people. Here are two ways to detect the slang word AFK:

1. Check Their Phones Directly for the AFK Slang Word

As a responsible parent, you must actively check your children’s cell phones, computers, messaging apps, emails, and internet browsing history. Only then will you know if they use the AFK slang term or other inappropriate words.

Cons:

  • Affect your relationship with your kids
  • Troublesome
  • Can’t detect dangers timely

Pros:

  • No need to install any app

2. Install A Parental Control App to Monitor the AFK Slang Word

Choosing an efficient parental control app and install it on your teens’ phones. It will allow you to easily monitor the slang words sent/received by your teens. With the instant alert feature, you’ll know right away when your kids type the slang term AFK.

Pros:

  • More features like chat monitoring, GPS tracking, call recording, surrounding recording, etc
  • Instant alerts
  • Easy to install and use

Cons:

  • Some apps are not free

Parental Control Apps to Detect the AFK Slang Word

Android:

  • Google Family link:
    It is a family parental control service from Google that helps you check search history for the AFK slang word, restrict content, set screen time, and more.

  • iKeyMonitor:
    iKeyMonitor is one of the most powerful parental control apps. It monitors SMS, chat messages, and searched terms on kids’ phones. It will take screenshots/photos and send instant alerts to you on triggered alert words such as AFK. Besides, it will record calls, surroundings and block inappropriate apps to protect your kids from threats.

iOS:

  • Apple Screen Time:
    With Apple’s built-in parental control setting, you can manage app limits, set content restrictions, and more. Just unlock the iPhone or iPad, then go to Settings and tap on Screen Time.

  • Norton Family Parental Control:
    Norton Family provides insights that help you foster a healthy online/offline balance for your children and their devices.
  • Kaspersky Safe Kids with GPS:
    Kaspersky Safe Kids is a popular parental control app that provides web monitoring, app blocking, filtering, and more.
  • Alertbird Parental Control:
    Alertbird is a parental control app for iOS that monitors the AFK slang term and other dangerous words. You will be notified immediately if it detects alert keywords in your searched terms and chat messages, such as the AFK slang word.

Tips to Talk With Your Kids About the Use of the AFK Slang Word

AFK is an innocuous acronym in internet slang and a great starting point for discussions of online communication. While online gaming can build and solidify long-distance friendships, it can also put your kids at risk for online predators. You can talk to your kids about online communication in the following ways:

  • How did you become gaming friends with that boy in Missouri?
  • Do online gamers ever meet in person?
  • How many people can you play this game with at most?
  • Can you tell me some acronyms that are commonly used in games?

List of Teenage Slang Words

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