Source: www.pctattletale.com

"What exactly is an Acronym?

An acronym is a pronounceable word formed from each of the first letters of a descriptive phrase. An acronym is actually a type of abbreviation.

Here's an example of an acronym: North Atlantic Treaty Organization = NATO

Because teens seem to live in the fast lane, they've made the most of today's available technology and like generations before them have come up with their own language.

Anachronisms are nothing new, but in this digital age they've made it easy to convey more information with less keystrokes.

And since teams routinely juggle multiple chat sessions, using anachronisms enables them to keep up the jumble of bombarding messages.

Here are some typical examples of some of the more common and acronyms commonly used by teens today chat rooms rooms, text messages and on cell phones.

These anachronisms are universal across both online and in text messaging.

• 121: one to one

• ADN: any day now

• AFAIK: as far as I know

• AFK: away from keyboard

• A/S/L: age, sex, location

• B4: before

• B4N: bye for now

• BAK:

• BF: boyfriend

• BFN: bye for now

• BG: big grin

• BTA: but then again

• BTW: by the way

• CID: crying in disgrace

• CNP: continued (in my) next post

• HDOP: help delete online predators"

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Identifying Internet Safety Risks To Children Online:
Source: www.pctattletale.com

"Top Risks on the Web:

Here is a break down of some of the more common risks associated with frequent Internet use, those not associated with adult sites:

• Harassment on the Internet - many teens and children experience bullying on the web or Internet, usually through chat messages or through e-mail.

• Viruses and hackers - inexperienced users are more subject to hackers and viruses that could potentially damage their computer or risk your family's privacy, particularly if your teen uses your credit card on the web.

• Financial - there are financial risks associated with doing business on the web, so you should be careful of offering your credit card information to your teen or other inexperienced user without oversight.

There are many ways to reduce these risks including limiting time on the computer, filtering web sites, allowing your children to use your credit card only under supervision and ensuring you routinely review sites visited by your children."

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Choosing The Best Parental Control Software:
Source: www.pctattletale.com

As a parent the most important factor when deciding which type of Parental control or Internet monitoring software is best for your family, is to examine exactly what your families needs actually are.

For example, if your children are under the age of 10, Internet filtering and content limiting software may be your best choice as it gives you a layer of protection and security over what your youngster might accidentally be exposed you while innocently surfing online.

However, if you have an Internet savvy teen or preteen and likes to use instant messaging and chat rooms, you might consider using an Parental control or Internet monitoring program that allows you to record and then playback exactly what they say and do online.

If for example your teenage son has suddenly discovered pornography (and all boys do) you might need to use a combination of different types of parental control and Internet monitoring software to both filter and monitor his extracurricular online activities.

now if your family is one that has children of different ages in the same household, keep in mind that what is acceptable for one of your children may not be acceptable for another based on age and maturity level.

Therefore specifying time limits, keeping the computer in a central room and household and reviewing what the children do online on a regular basis should be considered mandatory. In cases like this you are really better off sending your parental controls at a level that will best protect the youngest child in your household."

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