Over the past few years, a whole new language has sprung up from Internet chat rooms, online games, instant messaging (IM) and SMS messaging. This language, full of abbreviations and acronyms, is used to save keystrokes (and time) when typing, but can often leave the newcomer completely bewildered and mystified as to what the sender is trying to say!
Not only is it important for chat room and IM users to know how to use abbreviations and acronyms in order to communicate easily with other users, but for many parents, learning this new language can play an important role in maintaining the online safety of children.
You will come across a variety of chat abbreviations and slang in the chat rooms and we have listed some of the most common ones below. However, chat language is evolving daily, so if you come across slang or abbreviations which leave you baffled, simply ask people in the rooms what the term means; the majority of chatters will be more than happy to help you out!