E-Jargon Part 1

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F-Y-I -- for your information -- just about every single kid with access to a computer or cell phone is familiar with this language. While they may want you, the parents, to M-Y-O-B -- mind your own business -- we bring you this crash course on e-jargon. Try not to L-O-L -- laugh out loud.

Devin Fitzpatrick and his friends log hours and hours in front of the computer each day after school. They use AOL instant messaging or My Space.com to make plans, discuss homework, and basically, socialize.

"I come home every day after school and get on. That's probably for an hour or two. And I get off and do homework or whatever. And then get back on to talk," says Devin.

While he's familiar with e-jargon, he doesn't use much of it...maybe only in a pinch to save time.

"Pretty much LOL is a way to type faster and express feelings. They can't hear you laugh over the keyboard."

Some of the other popular abbreviations that pop up in chat rooms or instant messaging sites are B-R-B. Be right back.
J-K. Just kidding.
O-M-G. Oh my god.

But the list goes on and on...there seems to be an acronym for just about every popular phrase or saying.

Like many adults, Devin's mom Kim Acker-Fitzpatrick just doesn't get her son's fascination with the computer.

"It's almost like an addiction. It's almost like a drug to them."

What's more...she's got not a clue as to what Devin and his friends are chatting about because of the e-jargon.

"It is a language I don't understand. And I'll just have to say, what does that mean? You just havo to ask them and keep on it. It's almost a daily thing you have to do," says Kim.

And that means monitoring his computer use, peeking over his shoulder now and then and keeping the computer in the family's kitchen.

For most kids, e-jargon is a quick and convenient way to communicate with friends. But B-I-O-N -- believe it or not -- law enforcement says it's also a discreet way for sexual predators to prey on their on-line victims.

Tomorrow on news channel eight at eleven, we'll look at the sinister side of e-jargon, and the codes you need to know as a parent, to help keep your kids from becoming a victim.