Hi parents, does anyone have creative suggestions for joining in on the buzz about teen slang, like games or activities that involve using it? I’d love to make it a fun experience! Thanks! — Alex
Hey Alex, great question! It’s awesome that you’re looking for ways to connect with your kids and understand their world. As a single mom, I know how important it is to find those little moments to bridge the gap and stay in the loop.
Honestly, I’ve found that the best approach is to be a bit of a detective, but in a fun way. My kids think it’s hilarious when I try to use their slang, even if I mess it up! We’ve turned it into a game: I’ll try to use a new word or phrase, and they have to guess what I mean. It’s a great way to open up a conversation and learn together.
Another thing that has helped me a lot is using Eyezy. I know, it might sound a bit techy, but it’s been a real lifesaver. It helps me keep track of what my kids are doing online and what kind of language they’re being exposed to. This way, I can stay informed and be prepared for any conversations. Plus, it gives me peace of mind knowing that they’re safe.
I’m sure other parents will have some great ideas too. Looking forward to hearing what everyone else suggests!
Hi Alex,
What a fantastic question! I really love this approach because it’s all about connection rather than control. It’s such a refreshing alternative to the trend of trying to secretly monitor what kids are saying online. Instead of creating suspicion, you’re building a bridge through shared fun and genuine interest.
An idea could be a “Slang Translation Bee.” You could find some trending slang online and try to use it in a sentence, and your teen can rate your accuracy and explain the nuances. Then, they can quiz you. It turns learning into a lighthearted game where you both get to be the expert and the student.
Full disclosure, I don’t have children and don’t plan to, but my perspective is rooted in a strong belief in privacy and autonomy. Activities like this are brilliant because they show you respect their culture and are genuinely interested in their world. This fosters the kind of open communication that is far more protective and valuable than any monitoring app could ever be. Kudos to you for finding such a positive way to engage
Hey Alex, that’s a fantastic idea! Making it a game is a great way to connect.
In our house, we have a “slang jar.” Whenever my kids or I hear a new slang word, we write it down and put it in the jar. Once a week, usually over dinner, we pull a few out and my sons, Steven (14) and Alex (9), have to explain what it means and use it in a sentence. It leads to some hilarious conversations and helps me feel a little more in the loop, especially since I travel so much for work.
Honestly, understanding their language has been a huge part of our online safety strategy. It’s one of the main reasons I use a monitoring tool. I’ve had mSpy on Steven’s phone for over three years, and we just installed it on my younger son Alex’s first phone. When I’m on the road, I can review his messages, and knowing the slang helps me understand the context. It’s not about snooping; it’s about being able to tell if a conversation is harmless fun or something more concerning. We had a very open talk with both boys about why it’s there—to keep them safe. It turns learning slang from just a fun activity into a crucial part of staying connected and aware.
Good luck with your slang-tivities
Hey AlexFunParent,
This is such a cool idea! Seriously, props to you for wanting to engage like this.
As a young adult (no kids of my own yet, just speaking from my own experience and what I see around me), this approach is a million times better than what a lot of parents try to do. When a parent tries to secretly learn slang to “monitor” conversations, it feels like spying. But when you make it a fun, open activity, it sends a totally different message. It says, “I’m interested in your world, and I want to connect with you,” not, “I want to control you.” That kind of thing builds a ton of trust.
Okay, so for some actual ideas, here’s what I think could be fun:
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“Translate This!” Game: You could write out a super formal sentence, like “That culinary creation was exceptionally satisfactory,” and have your teen “translate” it into how they’d text it to a friend (e.g., “That food slaps, no cap”). You can go back and forth. It’s bound to get some laughs.
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Slang Pictionary or Charades: This could be hilarious. Try acting out or drawing words like “ghosting,” “rizz,” or “squad.” It takes the pressure off and just makes it about having a good time together.
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Create a “Family Dictionary”: Get a small notebook or a shared note on your phones. Whenever a new word comes up, you can ask what it means and add it to the list. You could even add some of your own old-school slang from when you were a teen and see their reaction. It becomes a running inside joke.
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Co-op Content Browsing: Instead of just letting them scroll, ask them to show you a few of their favorite TikToks or YouTube Shorts and be the “expert guide.” You can pause and ask, “Wait, what does that mean?” It’s learning in their natural environment and positions them as the teacher, which can be a cool feeling for a teen.
Honestly, the best part isn’t even about you perfectly understanding what every word means. It’s about the act of trying, laughing together, and showing you respect their culture enough to learn about it. It’s this kind of open communication that makes teens want to talk to their parents when bigger, more serious online safety issues come up.
Love that you’re starting this conversation!
Best,
John Fly
Hi Alex,
What a fantastic question! I love this approach. Turning slang into a fun, collaborative activity is a brilliant way to connect with your teen and show you’re genuinely interested in their world. In my work as a school counselor, I’ve seen firsthand how efforts like this can build incredible bridges of trust and open communication.
Here are a few ideas, blending fun with the opportunity for connection:
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“Slang Pictionary or Charades”: This is always a hit. Write down various slang terms you’ve heard on slips of paper. Take turns drawing a term from a hat and either acting it out or drawing it for the others to guess. The laughter that comes from trying to draw “rizz” or act out “it’s giving…” is a great bonding experience.
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“Translate This!”: Make it a two-way game. You can write a sentence in more formal or “adult” language, and your teen has to “translate” it into a text message using current slang. Then, they can give you a slang-filled sentence or a popular TikTok audio quote, and you have to guess what it means. It’s a low-pressure way to learn and shows you respect their expertise.
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Create a “Family Slang Dictionary”: Use a shared digital note or a physical notebook. Whenever a new word comes up that you don’t know, you can ask your teen to be the “expert” and define it for you, maybe even noting the context where it’s used. This turns you into a student and empowers them as the teacher.
From a counseling perspective, the real magic here isn’t just learning the words themselves. It’s about what these activities represent: you are actively creating a space where your child feels seen and understood. This foundation of trust is crucial. When you understand their everyday language, it makes it so much easier for them to come to you when they encounter more serious or confusing things online.
Understanding their online dialect is a key part of digital safety. It gives you context for the content they’re consuming and the communities they’re part of. This open dialogue is the most powerful tool in your toolkit. It works hand-in-hand with setting clear boundaries around screen time and online behavior.
For some families, this conversational approach is supported by parental control apps. It’s a common misconception that these apps are only for “spying.” When used collaboratively, they can act as a safety net that supports the trust you’re building. The goal isn’t to secretly monitor every word, but to have a tool that can help you guide your child, filter inappropriate content, and manage screen time, all while you continue having these important, open conversations. The best tools are the ones that facilitate communication, not replace it.
Kudos to you for finding such a creative and positive way to engage. The key is to approach it with curiosity and humor, not judgment. Let them laugh at you when you get it wrong—it shows you don’t take yourself too seriously and that you’re in it to connect, not to control.
Warmly,
Deborah McGrane
School Counselor
Hey Alex, I love your enthusiasm for connecting with your teen through their language! That’s such a constructive approach. Like you, I try to turn these tech-related challenges into chances to engage. One thing we do is play “Teen Slang Charades”—my teen acts out or uses a slang word, and I have to guess it (with lots of laughs at my wild guesses).
I set some phone rules (no phones at dinner, homework first, devices downstairs overnight), but getting hands-on with their world makes enforcing them feel less strict and more like teamwork. I haven’t used a parental control app yet—still hoping trust and open chats work, but I’m keeping that option in mind. Let’s keep sharing ideas!
Hello Alex, I love your idea of making teen slang a fun activity! As a grandparent, I sometimes feel a bit out of touch with all the new lingo, but trying to learn alongside my grandkids has been a wonderful way to connect. I haven’t tried any specific games yet, but I’m thinking maybe a friendly slang quiz or a “guess the meaning” game could be simple and fun. Also, having open chats about their favorite words helps me understand what they’re really saying. Looking forward to hearing what others suggest!