The Golden Rules of Texting Etiquette

10 things kids need to understand before they start texting

Texting is often one of the first steps a kid takes into the digital world. Some kids start texting friends in elementary school from the family iPad. Other kids start texting through chat features on video games. And still others start texting friends when they get own phone.

Whenever and wherever it starts there is always a window when they’ve never done it before and they need to quickly learn the “rules.” And, when it comes to texting, there are actually a lot of “rules.”

This post lays out 10 rules/concepts/guidelines/whatever-you-want-to-call-them that are worth addressing with your child. Then, paid subscribers get an extra section, Red Flag Emojis, covering emojis that are being used as code for sex, drugs and other topics kids don’t want parents to decipher. Yikes.

Photo by Gaelle Marcel on Unsplash

1. Type messages like your mom is going to read them. Assume whoever you don’t want to see your words, will.

2. Be kind. Treat others with kindness, have patience, give others the benefit of the doubt.

3. Practice empathy. Put yourself in the other person’s shoes. How would the words you type make you feel if they were sent to you?

4. Assume positive intent. With no facial expression or tone of voice to provide social cues, it's really easy to misinterpret subtleties like sarcasm. Ask for clarity before assuming the worst.

5. Use common sense. Just like in real life— if it sounds too good to be true it probably is. If there’s a feeling in the pit of your stomach telling you this might not be a good idea, it probably isn’t.

6. Don’t text angry. If you are upset or angry, try to pause before responding. You don’t want to write something you’ll regret later. And remember once its out there it can be saved and sent elsewhere.

7. Don’t exclude others. Group chats can be a convenient way to reach “everyone” but they can easily make others feel left out- especially friends who may not have messaging yet. Use group chats when needed but try to refrain from using them exclusively.

8. Try not to text in front of real live people. It's rude unless it's necessary. If it's necessary, excuse yourself and explain why it's important.

9. Keep it short. It takes time to read a message.

10.  Ask for help! Every person on the internet finds themselves in a difficult situation at some point. Ask a trusted adult to help you. Your safety is more important to us than anything else!

Paid Subscribers get a bonus section:

Red Flag Emojis

Photo by Domingo Alvarez E on Unsplash

Every generation finds new ways to bend language to express themselves and obscure their meanings from the “old people.” This current generation leans heavily on slang and emojis to do this. Much has been written/posted all over social media recently about the brain rot coming out of teens mouths. More needs to be written about the emojis as many are used to stand in for sex, drugs and other mature topics. Here is a quick rundown of emojis parents should look out for organized in 3 categories:

• Sex related emojis

• Drug related emojis

• Emojis related to lying and sneaking.

20 Sex Related Emojis

1. 🍆 — Penis

2. 🍌 — Penis

3. 🍇 — Testicles

4. 🍒 — Breasts/testicles/virginity

5. 🍑 — Butt

6. 🚛 — “Dump truck,” which refers to a large and/or shapely bottom

7. ⏳ — Used when someone has an “hourglass” body shape

8. 🌮 — Vagina

9. 🎪 — Erection