Social Media 

Understanding How Teens Communicate Online

Today's teens communicate in ways that are often very different from traditional conversations. Text messages, social media, gaming platforms, and messaging apps have created an entirely new language made up of slang, abbreviations, emojis, and symbols that can change rapidly as trends evolve. While most of these terms and expressions are completely harmless and simply reflect current youth culture, some may be used to discuss vaping, alcohol, drugs, sexual activity, bullying, mental health concerns, or other behaviors that parents and caregivers should be aware of. Understanding these forms of communication can help adults recognize potential concerns while also gaining a better understanding of how young people interact with one another online.