Keeping children safe while they are using their gadgets is very important to parents and grandparents alike. There are numerous inappropriate apps and websites out there that you wouldn't want a child to be using.
We also need to worry about cyberbullying, online predators, sexting, and even the risk of internet addiction. One way to know what your teenager is up to is to take a look at what they are texting to others. However, monitoring those text messages won't always tell the entire story.
What we're talking about is the fact that there is a handful of secret texting codes that you might not know about. They could be referring to bullying, drugs, sex or even suicide and you might not recognize it.
Check out our video on secret texting codes for some helpful tips:
If you are worried about this being an issue for someone you care about, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with today's lingo. On the next page, we posted a list of secret texting codes. Just as a warning, it does contain graphic language.
Yikes! There are some scary codes on that list.
Online safety ideas
After learning about these secret texting codes, if you're still concerned about the online safety of someone, here are some tips that can help.
- Have open dialogue - Make sure you talk to your kids about online safety. Let them know the risks that come with being online and that they can speak with you anytime a problem arises.
- Set parental controls - Take advantage of the parental control setting on your child's gadgets. These will help keep them from accessing inappropriate online content.
- Install security software - You can prevent online risks with security software.
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