Know what KMS means? KYS? WTTP?

What about ‘snatched’? Or CD9? Or MOS?

These acronyms and slang terms are increasingly being used by teens and young children in text message and chat windows and some of them are potentially very dangerous.

The staff at Kidspot like to think of themselves as a pretty savvy bunch of parents, but these slang terms stumped even us.

That’s a problem.

Good parents are cyber-savvy parents

An increasing number of children getting access to phones, smartphones and devices, and at an earlier and earlier age.

Research conducted by Telstra and released prior to Christmas showed that 31 per cent of parents planned to give their child a smartphone for Christmas, and that included some children as young as five years old.

All that adds up to the need for parents to stay on top of online advances, including apps, social media and cyber trends.

To help, US Internet safety company Bark, as reported by Popsugar, shared some key terms parents need to know.

KMS/KYS – Kill myself/kill yourself

Dabbing – refers to concentrated doses of marijuana

Snatched – means ‘on point’ or well styled

MOS – Mum over shoulder

CD9/9 – Parents are nearby

WTTP – Want to trade pics

Cyber-safety tips for parents

1. Decide when the time is right for kids to get a device: There is no ‘right’ age — purpose, need and responsibility are a better guide.

2. Establish a written usage agreement: Telstra’s ‘My First Mobile Agreement’ outlines some basic ground rules for your kids to follow.

3. Make the most of parental controls: Parental controls tools allow you to set time-of-day restrictions on children’s device usage.

4. Protect your bank account: Give your kids information to understand and track their phone and data usage.

5. Protect the phone: Get a hard case, preferably personalised, and a screen protector.

6. Balance active, passive and no screen time: Support and encourage your kids in activities that don’t involve a digital device.

7. Check your child’s phone with them: Sit down with your child and take a look at recent messages, photos and internet history.

8. Establish a household technology culture: Make sure you’re a positive example.

9. Be an offline supporter: Support and encourage your kids in activities that don’t involve a device.

10. Turn off devices before bedtime: Lack of sleep can affect alertness, concentration and memory.

This article was written by Alys Gagnon

Found on Kidspot