Answers have expertise in handling issues surrounding teenagers and family, especially those involving the internet, chat rooms and potential blackmail or corruption. See the BBC News
The internet came into our lives in the late 1990's, since when it has become an integral part of social interaction. Teenagers and children rely on it as a means of communication through chatrooms, instant messenger and social networking sites such as facebook and bebo. While this interaction is an essential part of young peoples' existence, it is also sometimes abused by predatory individuals using the susceptibility of young people for their own gain
Our experience in dealing with such abuse began at the same time. While many people communicating on the net were perfectly straightforward and trustable, for almost the first time our children were exposed to an environment whereby they could be approached by people they didn't know, sometimes even from another country, often purporting to be someone they were not
The anonymity of words on a screen made it all too feasible for a teenager to be talking to what they thought was someone of the same age - the predator taking advantage of the child's naivety or susceptibility. We honed our skills right when these dangers started, tackling predators and would-be paedophiles and have kept pace over the years
We worked with the BBC to highlight the dangers, trapping and confronting a man who talked to, approached, and tried to meet what he thought to be a 14 year old schoolgirl, telling her to delete files of their conversations. He met the girl - in reality one of our Investigators - and was then confronted on camera by the BBC News. Coverage was cited in the Hanson Report and played a part in Part 1 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 becoming law
Social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace and Bebo have increased in popularity. Users will leave personal details open for anyone to use and fake affiliation or peer group membership. Bullying is rife, predators use the information to ingratiate themselves with their target, to "make friends" - but with sinister motives. The use of social networking sites has become a problem for businesses, for misuse & time spent when they should be doing other things - many companies now ban access at work altogether
The first thing to do is talk to us, and we will arrange to meet you. Call us on 01483 200999 or on any of our local contact numbers. All matters are handled sensitively, confidentially and discreetly
Humberside Police have compiled a list of 112 codes that children use while exchanging lewd images and messages. Ways of warning that mum or dad is around include PAW (Parents are Watching) POS (Parents Over Shoulder) and CD9 (Code 9, meaning parents are around)
Many are designed to arrange real life meetings between strangers such as WTPA (Where the Party At?) RU/18 (Are you over 18) RL (Real Life) and ADN (Any Day Now)
The full list appears below:
| 1. 143 – I love you |
| 2. 2DAY – Today |
| 3. 4EAE – For ever and ever |
| 4. ADN – Any day now |
| 5. AFAIK – As far as I know |
| 6. AFK – Away from keyboard |
| 7. ASL – Age/sex/location |
| 8. ATM – At the moment |
| 9. BFN – Bye for now |
| 10. BOL – Be on later |
| 11. BRB – Be right back |
| 12. BTW – By the way |
| 13. CTN – Can't talk now |
| 14. DWBH – Don't worry, be happy |
| 15. F2F or FTF – Face to face |
| 16. FWB – Friends with benefits |
| 17. FYEO – For your eyes only |
| 18. GAL – Get a life |
| 19. GB – Goodbye |
| 20. GLHF – Good luck, have fun |
| 21. GTG – Got to go |
| 22. GYPO – Get your pants off |
| 23. HAK – Hugs and kisses |
| 24. HAND – Have a nice day |
| 25. HTH – Hope this helps / Happy to help |
| 26. HW– Homework |
| 27. IDK – I don't know |
| 28. IIRC – If I remember correctly |
| 29. IKR – I know, right? |
| 30. ILY / ILU – I love you |
| 31. IM – Instant message |
| 32. IMHO – In my honest opinion / In my humble opinion |
| 33. IMO – In my opinion |
| 34. IRL– In real life |
| 35. IWSN – I want sex now |
| 36. IU2U – It's up to you |
| 37. IYKWIM – If you know what I mean |
| 38. J/K – Just kidding |
| 39. J4F – Just for fun |
| 40. JIC– Just in case |
| 41. JSYK – Just so you know |
| 42. KFY – Kiss for you |
| 43. KPC – Keeping parents clueless |
| 44. L8 – Late |
| 45. LMBO – Laughing my butt off |
| 46. LMIRL – Let's meet in real life |
| 47. LMK – Let me know |
| 48. LOL – Laugh out loud |
| 49. LSR – Loser |
| 50. MIRL – Meet in real life |
| 51. MOS – Mom over shoulder |
| 52. NAGI– Not a good idea |
| 53. NIFOC – Nude in front of computer |
| 54. NM – Never mind |
| 55. NMU – Not much, you? |
| 56. NP – No problem |
| 57. NTS – Note to self |
| 58. OIC – Oh I see |
| 59. OMG – Oh my God |
| 60. ORLY – Oh, really? |
| 61. OT– Off topic |
| 62. OTP – On the phone |
| 63. P911 – Parent alert |
| 64. PAW – Parents are watching |
| 65. PCM – Please call me |
| 66. PIR – Parent in room |
| 67. PLS or PLZ– Please |
| 68. PPL – People |
| 69. POS – Parents over shoulder |
| 70. PTB – Please text back |
| 71. QQ – Crying. This abbreviation produces an emoticon in text. It's often used sarcastically. |
| 72. RAK – Random act of kindness |
| 73. RL – Real life |
| 74. ROFL – Rolling on the floor laughing |
| 75. RT – Retweet |
| 76. RUOK – Are you OK? |
| 77. SMH – Shaking my head |
| 78. SOS – Someone over shoulder |
| 79. SRSLY – Seriously |
| 80. SSDD – Same stuff, different day |
| 81. SWAK – Sealed with a kiss |
| 82. SWYP – So, what's your problem? |
| 83. SYS – See you soon |
| 84. TBC – To be continued |
| 85. TDTM – Talk dirty to me |
| 86. TIME – Tears in my eyes |
| 87. WYCM – Will you call me? |
| 88. TMI– Too much information |
| 89. TMRW – Tomorrow |
| 90. TTYL– Talk to you later |
| 91. TY or TU– Thank you |
| 92. VSF – Very sad face |
| 93. WB – Welcome back |
| 94. WTH – What the heck? |
| 95. WTPA – Where the party at? |
| 96. WYCM – Will you call me? |
| 97. YGM – You've got mail |
| 98. YOLO – You only live once |
| 99. YW – You're welcome |
| 100. ZOMG – Oh my God (sarcastic) |
| 101. 182 – I hate you |
| 102. 420 – Marijuana |
| 103. ADR – Address |
| 104. CD9 – Code 9 – it means parents are around |
| 105. ILU – I Love You |
| 106. KOTL – Kiss On The Lips |
| 107. LMIRL – Let's Meet In Real Life |
| 108. NIFOC – Nude In Front Of The Computer |
| 109. P999 – Parent Alert |
| 110. PAL – Parents Are Listening or Peace And Love |
| 111. RU/18 – Are You Over 18? |
| 112. WYRN – What's Your Real Name? |
Contact us if you have concerns and we will arrange to meet you. Call us on 01483 200999 or on any of our local contact numbers. All matters are handled sensitively, confidentially and discreetly
Sensitive handling of Personal Issues
Matters involving Teenagers and Children
Helping victims of Blackmail
