Teen Hashtags: What Every Parent Ought to Know

Hashtags have become a normal part of everyday vernacular thanks to social media. By simply putting a pound (#) sign in front of a word like #OverIt or acronym, such as #tbt (throw back Thursday) social network users especially on Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, Pinterest, and now Facebook, can easily join a specific conversation on that topic. Often, hashtags define conversations and spread quickly throughout the online world (yes, kind of like gossip).

Increasingly, more than just define a conversation, hashtags can be used as verbal extensions that express hate, love, irony, or humor.

In the world of teen communication, however, a hashtag can provide valuable insight and emotional red flags for a parent . . . if that parent is paying attention.

For instance, some concerning hashtags that have emerged include #thighgap, a hashtag used by young girls who want to be so skinny that when they put their legs together their thighs don’t touch. Closely related to #thighgap are hashtags such as #thinspro, #thinspiration, and #ana; all hashtags used by people (often teens) talking about anorexia or some form of eating disorder.

Other eating disorders hashtags might include:
#secretsociety123, #imnotokay, #bulimic, #ed, #bulimia, #fakesmile, #eatingdisorder, #bonespo, #anorexic #depression #anorexia #hipbones #purge #worthless #anxiety #mia #helpme #binge #paranoia #depressed #blithe #collarbones #blades

Self harm, depression hashtags might include:
#suicidal, #razors, #harm, #selfharmmm, #selfinjury, #dead, #selfhate, #cuts, #worthless, #broken, #helpme, #sleepless, #tears, #heartbreak, #useless, #sick, #falling, #cantsleep, #helpme, #killme.

Bullying hashtags might include:

#wtf = what the f***

#derp = stupid

#butters = ugly

#jelly = jealous

#subtweet = talking about someone but not using their @name

#gokillyourself

#bizzle = another word for b***h

#thot or #thotties = a promiscuous girl

#yag = you are gay

#beyouch = another word for b***h

#rab = rude a** b***h

Hashtags that may be red flags include:

#chirped = got caught

#420 = marijuana

#cu46 = See you for sex

#lmirl = let’s meet in real life

#pron = Porn

#frape = Facebook rape; posting to someone else’s profile when they leave it logged in.

#nsfw = not safe for work (post will include nudity, etc)

#bullied

#livingdangerously = taking selfies while driving or some other unsafe behavior

#kikmessenger = let’s talk on kik instant message instead

Hashtags that look strange but are okay include:

#mupload = upload via mobile

#selfie = taking a picture of self

#turnt = have fun; get rowdy

#nah = no or not

#smh – shaking my head

#igers = Instagrammers

#igaddict = Instagram addict

#turnup = step it up

#mce = my crush everyday

#idek = I don’t even know

#bae = babe

#nah = no or not

#mcm = man crush Monay

#wcw = woman crush Wednesday

#hmu = hit me up

#so = Significant Other

#lmao = laughing my a** off

#ootd = outfit of the day

#yolo = you only live once

#ratchet = disgusting

#sick = cool

These hashtags represent a collective found on internetslang.com, urbandictionary.com, and via hundreds of teen account searches on Twitter, Instagram, and Tumblr.

What hashtags have you come across that could help other parents? 

Toni Birdsong is a Family Safety Evangelist to McAfee. You can find her on Twitter @SafeEyes. 

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