Monitor and Communicate with Your Teenager Using Teen Speak for IM's, Text Messages and E-mails

Like in most generations, teenagers tend to make up their own language, a sort of secret code just for other teenagers and something many adults and parents won't immediately understand. I grew up during the 'hippie' period and can remember phrases that confused my parents. Phases such as groovy and going to a happening (party or gathering) and freak out were often said along with the ever so altruistic sounding 'peace brother' and the risqué 'make love, not war.'

It is not much different in today's techno world when many people, especially teenagers are using secret language or abbreviated language to send text messages and IM's (Instant message). Studies show that 70 percent of parents' text message on a regular basis for job related or family related concerns and some 14 million teens do so for socializing and making plans, but the language can be quite different. There is a bit more sophistication though because teenagers, when messaging another and a parent is right there can send a message warning the other that parents are within listening/watching distance and to be careful.
PAW (parents are watching, which could also be the number 9)) PAL, (parents are listening) P911, (parent alert) PIR, (parent in room) and POS, (parent over shoulder) are some of the anagrams that teenagers use, just to let the other know that they aren't able to talk and the other one sending messages would be wise to censure what he or she says.