BC Council for Families

I was supposed to have this article written three hours ago...fail!

Not exactly sure what I'm talking about? You aren't alone. Teens and tweens, the inventive lot that they are, have once again come up with a whole new set of slang words for us to try to decode. Noob, fail, epic fail, flop, pwned, sick, and photobomb; these are just a few of the words that you might have heard around your home over the holidays.

Creating and using slang can be a way for teens to bond with each other and for them to feel connected and part of their peer group; it is a natural part of growing up. Having healthy and positive peer relationships is a crucial part of development for teens and tweens. Building healthy relationships with people outside of their family circle allows youth to explore their sense of self and identity. Fostering this type of personal exploration is very important for youth.

As confusing pop culture may seem to us old people, My Tween and Me Program Coordinator Pilar Onatra says interacting with your children around topics like media and culture is a good way to stay connected. "Just ask them," she says."They will tell you what slang words they are using and what they mean. But be prepared for them to laugh at you if you try to use them."  

By being open, available and non-judgmental your teens and tweens will feel more comfortable talking with you about other more serious or complex topics. And having those open lines of communication with your children is an excellent way to prevent risky behaviour later in the teen years.

For more information about the My Tween and Me Parenting program contact Pilar Onatra.