SOS Meaning

SOS stands for Save Our Ship.
SOS refers to the Morse code alert for a ship in distress. It is currently used as an internet slang initialism to signify any emergency situation.

How Is SOS Used? Use Cases & Examples

The letters SOS are international distress signals used by ships when they are in immediate danger and are widely recognized as a cry for help, whether spoken, sent as a text message, or spelled out by flashing lights or arranging objects. Teens use SOS in different levels of emergency.

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

  • If my base keeps getting attacked again, I am going to have to send out an SOS for some help.
  • SOS. We are sinking three nautical miles southeast of the Portland Headlight.
  • SOS. I have run out of hair gel. Has anyone got some spare?
  • SOS!
    What? Are you alright?
    Nope, my folks just found my stash.

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

The slang term SOS is harmless, but the term indicates that your children or the people they communicate with are in danger. So, paying attention to the slang terms kids use the most can help you navigate this tricky teenage language and make it easier to keep your kids safe. Here are two ways to identify the slang term SOS:

1. Check Their Phones Directly for the SOS Slang Word

You may not always know how your kids use teenage slang. To keep up with them, you need to check their phones directly. You can check their texts, chats, and search history for the slang word SOS.

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 SOS Slang Word

By installing a parental control app on your kids’ phones, you will be able to detect risky teen slang expressions, such as SOS. You can choose to see their text messages, social chats, search history, and much more. In addition to that, you can also receive timely alerts when your kids enter specific slang words. This way, you can take measures to ensure your kids’ safety.

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 SOS Slang Word

Android:

  • Google Family link:
    It is a family parental control service from Google that helps you check search history for the SOS 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 SOS. 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 SOS 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 SOS slang word.

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

When your children use SOS in their messages to you, they confirm your closeness by asking for your help and showing trust in you. While this is positive communication, if the emergency is the result of a lack of planning or organization, help your children build structure to avoid a similar situation.

  • If your teens are concerned for their safety, you can keep SOS in your family as an actual danger alert.
  • SOS is the phrase you should monitor. Hopefully your children’s emergency is relatively inconsequential.
  • If your children or their friends seem to be experiencing potential or actual danger, you will need to intervene.

List of Teenage Slang Words