Britain launches Parent Info website to demystify online slang
Play
London (dpa) - The British government on Sunday launched a Parent Info website to help teachers and parents understand children's online slang, browsing habits and protection needs.
The website explains "popular teen chat acronyms" such as CD9, for Code 9, meaning parents are around; zerg, to gang up on someone; 420, marijuana; and GNOC, get naked on camera.
It covers everything from "difficult topics about sex, relationships and the internet or body image and peer pressure, to broader parenting topics like 'how much sleep do teenagers need'?"
"The internet is an incredibly powerful tool, which is changing the way our children learn and stay in touch," said Nicky Morgan,Britain's education minister.
"But we must also make sure we do everything we can to help them stay safe online," Morgan said.
"I hope all schools take advantage of this new resource, which addresses fundamental issues like cyber bullying and body confidence- so that they can help protect their children in this digital age,"she said.
Young people in Britain spend a weekly average of 12-13 hours online, but government surveys found some 20 per cent of parents felt "ill-equipped to keep their children safe on the internet."
