Over half of children and teens admit they deliberately use language online that their parents won’t understand, according to new research from Tesco Mobile. It’s a growing concern for families, especially when it comes to keeping children safe in the digital world.
The research reveals that teens often use slang because they find it funny. Many also want to keep their chats private or use these terms as a way to express themselves. For parents, this creates a challenge when trying to stay involved in their children’s online lives.
Nearly half of parents say they don’t feel confident in understanding the slang their kids are using. More than a third say they ask their children to explain something they’ve seen online several times a week. While some terms are relatively harmless, like “you’re cooked” (meaning you’re in trouble) or “let’s link” (meaning to meet in person), others are more serious. Only 17% of parents understood that “do you send?” refers to sharing explicit images, and just 11% recognised “looksmaxxing” as a term for appearance improvement influenced by social media.
To help address the issue, Tesco Mobile has launched a national campaign to explain common slang terms and encourage conversations between parents and children. The campaign is supported by Dr Martha Deiros Collado, a clinical psychologist and author, who is offering practical guidance for families.
“As both a clinical psychologist and a mother, I know how hard it can be to stay in touch with what’s happening online,” said Dr Martha. “But what makes the biggest difference is how we talk about it. Online safety isn’t about one big serious conversation. It’s about building trust through small, everyday moments.”
Laura Joseph, Chief Customer Officer at Tesco Mobile, added, “As a mother of teenagers, I’ve felt the worry that comes with not understanding the online world they live in. There’s a whole new language, and that can be isolating for parents. This campaign is about helping families reconnect and talk openly.”
Dr Martha has shared her top five tips for talking to children about online safety:
- Stay curious, not confrontational – Ask questions like “What’s your favourite thing to do online?”
- Make it part of your everyday – Use relaxed moments like car rides or mealtimes to check in
- Lead by example – Share your own online experiences
- Talk about empathy – Help kids think about the impact of their words
- Teach safe habits early – Discuss privacy, passwords and how to handle anything upsetting
Tesco Mobile’s campaign is part of its wider commitment to supporting families. By offering expert advice and easy-to-use tools, the brand is helping parents feel more confident navigating the digital world with their children.
More tips and resources are available on the Tesco Mobile website.
