Text abbreviations: A parent's guide to 103 common terms

Navigating the world of text messaging can feel like learning a new language (not unlike keeping up with your teen’s newest slang). As parents, staying on top of the latest text abbreviations is no easy feat, especially when kids seem to invent new ones every day. This guide is here to bridge that gap and make texting with your kids a breeze. Not only will you gain insight into what those strings of letters mean, but you'll also impress your teens with your newfound texting prowess.

List of common text abbreviations

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To help you get started, here is a comprehensive list of 102 text abbreviations that are commonly used by kids today. For ease of reference, we've organized them alphabetically.

Understanding text abbreviations is more than just keeping up with the times; it’s about being part of your kids' world. As you become more familiar with these terms, you’ll find conversations with your teens more engaging and relatable.

Examples of popular text abbreviations

Here are six commonly used text abbreviations that you're likely to see in your teen's messages:

1. FOMO Teen: "All my friends are going to the concert, and I have major FOMO!" Parent: "Don’t worry, we’ll find something fun to do together."

2. GOAT Teen: "LeBron is the GOAT, no doubt!" Parent: "Is he really better than Jordan though?"

3. IYKYK Teen: "The new restaurant downtown has the best tacos. IYKYK!" Parent: "Guess we need to try it to find out."

4. LOL Teen: "I just saw the funniest meme. LOL!" Parent: "Send it to me — I need a good laugh."

5. HBU Teen: "I’m gonna go to the mall after school. HBU?" Parent: "I’m just running some errands."

6. HMU Teen: "If you need help with homework, HMU." Teen: "Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind!"

And remember, parenting in the digital age doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With a little patience and a lot of curiosity, you can navigate the fast-paced world of text messaging with ease.

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This blog post is provided "as is" and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.