Codes and acronyms parents need to know
Q: Why do online offenders use codes with kids?
A: They use short codes so parents do not understand what is being said. Learning these codes helps you spot warning signs in your child’s messages.
| Code / acronym | What it means |
|---|---|
| 99 | Parent gone |
| 142 / 459 | I love you |
| CD9 | Code 9 — parents are nearby |
| FYEO | For Your Eyes Only |
| GNOC | Get Naked On Camera |
| KPC | Keeping Parents Clueless |
| MIRL | Meet In Real Life |
| MOS | Mom Over Shoulder |
| NIFOC | Nude In Front Of Computer |
| NSFW | Not Safe For Work |
| PAW | Parents Are Watching |
| PIR | Parent In Room |
| POS | Parent Over Shoulder |
| WTTP | Want To Trade Pictures? |
For more resources, visit: BeauBidenFoundation.org
To report child exploitation: cybertipline.org | NCMEC: 1-800-843-5678
Internet safety
A: Most teens go online every single day. The internet can be a great tool, but it can also connect kids with online offenders — people who want to harm them. Talking with your child is the best way to keep them safe.
A: Start before you give your child any device or internet access. Keep talking as they get older. The rules may change, but the conversation should continue.
- Never talk privately with an adult you met online.
- Never share your home address, phone number or school name online.
- Set all accounts to private.
- Never share your password with anyone — not even friends.
- Turn off your location on all apps.
A: Grooming is when an adult builds a relationship with a child to lower their defenses, with the goal of sexual abuse.
On the internet, this may look like online enticement — someone engaging your child in sexual conversation, asking for or sending photos, pretending to be younger or offering gifts in exchange for explicit content.
A: Sexting is the sharing of nude or sexual pictures, videos or messages through text or other platforms. Talk with your child about why this is never safe — even between people who trust each other. Once an image is sent, you lose control of it forever.
- Your child spends more and more time online.
- They get upset when they cannot use their device.
- They hide what they are doing online.
- They receive gifts from people you do not know.
A: Stay calm and listen. Say: ‘Thank you for telling me.’ ‘I believe you.’ ‘This is not your fault.’ ‘How can I help you?’ Then report it right away.
You do not need proof to make a report — only a reasonable concern.
Apps parents need to know
A: These apps have been flagged by police and safety experts as risky for kids:
- Snapchat: Photos seem to disappear, but anyone can take a screenshot before they do.
- TikTok: Has very few privacy controls. Kids can be cyberbullied or see harmful content.
- Kik: A messaging app with no age check. Strangers can contact your child.
- Whisper, Tellonym, YOLO: Anonymous apps common in middle and high school. Users hide who they are.
- Telegram: Messages delete themselves. Anyone can send bad content to your child.
- ASKfm: Lets people ask questions without showing who they are. Often used to cyberbully.
- Calculator+: Looks like a normal calculator. It actually hides photos, messages and web history.
- Dating apps (Tinder, Bumble, Grindr, Badoo): Use your location to find nearby users. Offenders use fake profiles to reach kids.
A: Do not get angry right away. Use it as a chance to talk. Look at the privacy settings together. Set clear rules about which apps are allowed.
A: Not always. Keep talking with your child about being safe and kind online. Sometimes taking the device away is the right choice, but it should not be the only thing you do.
Bullying and cyberbullying
A: Bullying can be physical (hitting or pushing), verbal (name-calling), social (leaving someone out or spreading rumors) or cyber —also called cyberbullying— (posting mean things online or sharing bad photos). More than 1 in 5 students say they have been bullied.
- They have trouble sleeping or are not eating well.
- They do not want to go to school.
- They seem sad, worried or angry a lot.
- They pull away from friends and family.
- They get stomachaches or headaches often.
- They want to be in control of people around them.
- They show little care for others’ feelings.
- They act out often and break rules.
- They quickly close screens when you walk by.
A: A bystander is anyone who sees bullying happen. Research shows that when bystanders step in, bullying stops within 10 seconds more than half the time. Teach your child to support anyone being bullied by not joining in — and to get a trusted adult involved.
Adults should take all reports of bullying seriously and respond quickly to ensure the child’s safety.
A: Say: “It was brave to tell me.” “This is not your fault.” “How do you want to handle it?” Do not ask “Did you say something first?”; it can make your child feel responsible. Do not call the other child’s parents on your own.
A: Report it on the app or website where it happened. You can also contact your cell phone provider, tell the school, call local law enforcement or go to www.cybertipline.org.
Summer camp safety
- Do they have a written Child Protection Policy?
- Do they run background checks on all staff and volunteers?
- Are staff trained to recognize and report abuse and neglect?
- How often does training occur and how does the camp ensure staff are following reporting procedures?
- Are all adult-child interactions always observable and interruptible?
- Are staff forbidden from messaging kids privately outside of camp?
A: It means that any adult interacting with a child can always be seen by others, and that anyone can step in at any time. No adult should ever be alone with a child behind a closed door or in a place where others cannot see them.
A: A mandated reporter is someone whose job requires them to report suspected child abuse or neglect immediately to the authorities. In many states, every adult is required to report. Camp staff and volunteers are generally mandated reporters. Ask the camp if they train staff on this responsibility.
- Ages 0–5: 1 adult for every 5 overnight campers / 1 for every 6 day campers.
- Ages 6–8: 1 for every 6 overnight / 1 for every 8 day.
- Ages 9–14: 1 for every 8 overnight / 1 for every 10 day.
- Ages 15–18: 1 for every 10 overnight / 1 for every 12 day.
- Read the Child Protection Policy before you sign up.
- Pick up and drop off at different times to observe how staff interact with kids.
- Ask your child open-ended questions at the end of each day.
- Tell your child to speak to a trusted adult if anything feels wrong.
Walking or traveling alone
A: Think about how mature your child is. Do they know basic traffic rules? Are they confident on their own? Can they handle a scary situation? Practice with them. Ask: “What would you do if…?”
- Walk with a friend when you can.
- Never get in a car or enter a home unless a parent arranged it — even if someone claims to have permission.
- Keep your device charged. Know key phone numbers by heart or keep them on a card in your bag.
- Put your device away and do not wear headphones while walking.
- If something feels wrong, walk away, draw attention or call for help.
Remember: not everyone you meet has good intentions. It is always okay to say no and leave a situation — even with an adult.
A: It is a file with your child’s photo, a description of what they look like and their fingerprints. If your child goes missing, this helps police find them faster. Keep it up to date. Get a free form at BeauBidenFoundation.org/Resources.
Electronic device agreement
A: A written agreement makes the rules clear for everyone. It helps your child see that using a device is a privilege, not a right. It also sets up what happens if the rules are broken.
- The parent owns the device.
- Parents should have full access to all devices, apps, and passwords at all times.
- Always answer calls or texts from parents quickly.
- Hand the device to a parent each night at a set time.
- No devices at family meals or when school rules say no.
- Keep all accounts private. Never share your password.
- Once you send something, it is out there forever — even if you delete it.
- Never post your real-time location.
- Tell a parent right away if you receive any scary, mean or sexual messages. You will not get in trouble for telling.
- The device gets taken away for a set amount of time.
- The agreement gets updated with stricter rules.
- Other privileges may be lost, like time with friends.
