Tech Translator

Algospeak

Explained for parents by The Digital Childhood.

What it means

The coded language kids use to avoid social media moderation filters. "Unalive" instead of suicide, "le dollar bean" instead of lesbian, "seggs" instead of sex, "PDF file" instead of pedophile. Kids having a whole second set of words tells you what kinds of things they’re talking about online in a way parents can’t search for.

How to bring it up with your kid

"I learned kids use code words online so the apps don't flag their posts. I'm not going to memorize a list. I just want you to know that with me, you can always use the real words, especially if something's scary or confusing."

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