Teen Slang Red Flags (2025): 20 Terms Parents Should Know

A running tally of past sexual partners; sometimes used to rate or shame. Can push kids toward bragging or pressure.

• Ask, “What do friends mean by it in your group?”
• Reinforce respect and privacy over score-keeping.

Casual shorthand for having intercourse (“I’d smash”). Can be jokey, but may also signal pressure or objectification.

• Listen for tone; jokes vs. targeting someone.

“Friends with benefits” — a friendship that includes intercourse without a committed relationship. Often uneven expectations.

• Discuss consent, boundaries, and emotional fallout.

“Down to ….” Direct invite for intercourse. Can be playful but is often explicit or pressuring.

• Model “easy outs” kids can use to decline.

Vague umbrella for anything from kissing to intercourse. Teens use the fuzziness to dodge details.

• Ask “What does that mean to your friends?” before reacting.

A secret meet-up for romance or intercourse, usually hidden from parents or partners.

• Talk logistics: transportation, location, and safety plans.

Euphemism for male genitals (“the D”). Can be crude humor or sexual innuendo.

• Set family language norms without shaming curiosity.

A suffix added for shock or crude humor. Not always sexual, but often used to sexualize random things.

• Coach “place and audience” — what’s okay with friends isn’t for class/family.

Someone using a fake identity to flirt, scam, or manipulate online.

• Practice basic checks: reverse image search, video call before meeting, bring a friend.

“Not Safe For Work” — content flagged as sexual, graphic, or otherwise inappropriate for public settings.

• On shared devices, agree on where/when explicit content isn’t okay.

A private/alternate social account used for closer friends — or to post things away from adults.

• Focus on digital footprints, not just “gotcha” monitoring.

“Kill myself.” Sometimes thrown around as dark humor, but it can also point to real distress.

• Always check in calmly: “Are you joking or feeling low? I’m here.”

“Kill yourself” — a harmful phrase sometimes used as harassment. Take it seriously.

• Address it directly; escalate to school or platform reporting if targeted at someone.

Brand/name shorthand for vaping nicotine. Flavors and discreet devices make it easy to hide.

• Discuss addiction, school policies, and secondhand impacts at home.

Slang for a supplier (often of vape pods, weed, or pills). Can signal access to substances.

• Ask open-ended questions about where items come from and who’s around.

Attraction talk: pull (ability to attract), rizz (charm), and simp (trying too hard). Usually playful, but can shade into teasing or pressure.

• Coach kindness and consent — “flirting” shouldn’t feel like a scoreboard.