Curious about what your teen is saying? Teen slang words change quickly, especially with social media and texting. It can be tough for parents to keep up, but understanding what your kids are talking about is important. Here’s a list of popular slang words and some tips to help you stay in the loop.
Top Dangerous Slang Words Used By Teens
Some slang terms can be risky because they carry violent, harmful, or inappropriate connotations, or they can refer to dangerous behaviors. Here’s a list of top dangerous teen slang words every parent should know. Keep in mind that slang evolves quickly, so some of these terms may be more or less common depending on the region or time.
- Slaps – Used to describe something that is really good or “hits” in a strong way. While it’s usually used to refer to music or an event, in some cases, “slap” could be used in a violent context.
- Cap/No Cap – “Cap” means a lie, and “no cap” means no lie or being truthful. Sometimes, this phrase is used to hype up dangerous or exaggerated stories.
- Flexing – To show off or brag, often about money, status, or even illegal activities, which can promote unhealthy behaviors or attitudes.
- Savage – Refers to someone who is brutally honest or acts without regard for others’ feelings. In some contexts, it can also refer to a person doing something reckless or dangerous.
- Ghosting – While this originally referred to cutting off communication without explanation, it has recently been used to describe leaving someone in a dangerous or vulnerable situation without any help.
- Broke Boy/Thirsty – These terms are often used to insult someone’s financial status or desperate behavior, leading to unhealthy peer pressure.
- Hit the Blunt – Refers to smoking marijuana or other substances. Though it’s popular in some groups, it can encourage substance abuse.
- Woke – While originally meaning social awareness, in some contexts, it can be associated with toxic or extreme viewpoints that can lead to conflict or risky behavior.
- Slay – This refers to someone looking good or killing it at something, often tied to unrealistic beauty standards or behaviors.
- Doxxing – The practice of publicly revealing private or personal information about someone, often used in online harassment or bullying.
- Yolo – “You Only Live Once” has been linked to reckless or dangerous decision-making.
- Catch these hands – A phrase indicating a fight or physical altercation, encouraging violence.
- Throw hands – This refers to engaging in a physical fight, commonly used to encourage violence.
- Toxic – While used to describe unhealthy relationships or behaviors, it can also be used in a way that normalizes toxic actions or attitudes.
- Clout – Refers to social influence, often gained through risky or dangerous stunts, pranks, or behavior.
- Finesse – To trick, deceive, or manipulate others, often used in reference to criminal activity.
- Trap Queen – Refers to a woman involved in illegal activities, often related to drugs or crime.
- Lit – While it means something is exciting or fun, it can also be used in connection with drug or alcohol use.
- Simp – Referring to someone who goes to extreme lengths to please someone, often used negatively but can promote unhealthy relationship dynamics.
- KYS – An acronym for “Kill Yourself,” which is highly dangerous and should never be used seriously. This term is a form of extreme cyberbullying and can be associated with mental health crises.
Teen Slang Words To Watch Out For
Teenage slang is always changing, and while a lot of it is just harmless fun, some words can have a darker side depending on how they’re used. What makes slang tricky is that some phrases can mean one thing in one context and something completely different in another. Here’s a list of some common teen slang to keep an eye on:
- AFK – Away From Keyboard
- ANIME – Anime refers to a style of Japanese animation.
- BAE – BAE is short for baby or babe.
- BEE – BEE refers to a sweet, friendly, loyal girl everyone likes.
- DANK – Dank refers to high-quality or weird memes.
- Dope – Dope means excellent or refers to drugs.
- FML – F**k My Life
- IRL – In Real Life
- SUS – SUS means suspicious.
- YOLO – You Only Live Once
- 143 – 143 refers to the sentence I love you.
Common/Harmless Teen Slang Words
This section lists a harmless part of the normal teenage language. When teenagers use common slang words, you don’t need to worry. Many slang terms are basically shortcuts for typing.
- CAP – CAP refers to lying.
- FAM – FAM is short for family.
- FIRE – FIRE
- GOAT – Greatest of All Time
- IKR – I know, right?
- OG – Original Gangster
- OTP – On the Phone
- RT – Retweet
- SWAG – SWAG describes a cool person.
- WBU – What about you?
How To Keeping Up With Teen Slang Trends
Teenage slang words are constantly changing, and keeping track of the latest terms can be tough. However, it’s important to understand what your teen is saying and how it reflects their world. Here are five key strategies to help you stay on top of teen slang:
Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter are where most teen slang originates. By following popular teen influencers or trending hashtags, you can quickly learn new teen slang terms and stay updated on what your teen is using.
Ask Your Teen Directly
A simple way to learn about new slang is to ask your teen. Start a casual conversation and let them explain what certain terms mean. It can help you stay connected and allow you to bond with them.
Monitor Texts and Social Media Posts
You can monitor your teen’s online communications with apps like iKeyMonitor. This allows you to track teen slang they use in real-time through text messages, social media, and chats, helping you stay updated on the language they’re using.
Use Online Slang Dictionaries
Websites like Urban Dictionary are great resources for decoding new teen slang words. The site provides up-to-date definitions of slang terms, allowing you to keep up with the latest lingo your teen might be using.
Stay Open-Minded
Teens use slang as part of their identity and peer connection. Even if some terms seem silly or hard to understand, keeping an open mind allows you to engage with your teen more effectively and avoid pushing them away.
Conclusion
Some teen slang words can have dangerous meanings that promote risky behavior. By staying updated on these terms, you can better understand what your teen is saying and what’s going on in their life. Using parental control apps like iKeyMonitor can help you monitor their online conversations and keep them safe online.