The PSNI is warning parents about the possible codes their children could be using to keep their messages secret.
US technology show, The Kim Komando Show released an image with codes children could be using to communicate and the Police Service in Northern Ireland have shared the post as a warning to parents.
From general terminology to codes that refer to sexual acts, drug use and even suicide, the post has been shared over 3,300 times with followers commenting on the importance of understanding what our children could be saying.
However, many thought the post was a hoax with users jokingly commenting on how “silly” some of the codes were.
"Are you serious with these, PSNI?" wrote one user.
"Teenagers will always want to create coded language that can't be understood by their parents - it's natural and not necessarily something to get overly concerned about," said Margaret Gallagher of the NSPCC to BBC News.
"Communication and building trust with your child is the most important thing.
"At the end of the day, you want them to feel comfortable coming to you if they're worried about something that's happened online, like an unsolicited approach or someone putting them in a vulnerable position.”
