Interpreting Internet slang can be difficult for a parent. It's a new language, a new world of encoded meanings. Parents may discover their children living in a world separated from them by a series of uninterpretable language and symbols.

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In general, there are a series of language structure rules used in the construction and interpretation of Internet slang:

• Non-alphabet characters can be used to replace the letters they resemble.
  For example, "5" or even "$" can replace the letter S. Applying this style, the word "leetspeek" can be written as "133t5p33k" or even "!337$p34k," with "4" replacing the letter A.
  
  
• Letters can be substituted for other letters that may sound alike.
  Using "Z" for a final letter S, and "X" for words ending in the letters C or K is common. For example, leetspeekers might refer to their computer "5x1llz" (skills).
  
  
• Rules of grammar are rarely obeyed.
  Some ... will capitalize every letter except for vowels (LiKe THiS) and otherwise reject conventional English style and grammar, or drop vowels from words (such as converting very to "vry").
  
  
• Mistakes are often left uncorrected.
  Common typing misspellings (typos) such as "teh" instead of the are left uncorrected or sometimes adopted to replace the correct spelling.
  
  
• Non-alphanumeric characters may be combined to form letters.
  For example, using slashes to create "/\/\" can substitute for the letter M, and two pipes combined with a hyphen to form "|-|" is often used in place of the letter H. Thus, the word ham could be written as "|-|4/\/\."
  
  
• The suffix "0rz" is often appended to words for emphasis or to make them plural.
  For example, "h4xx0rz," "sk1llz0rz," and "pwnz0rz," are plural or emphasized versions (or both) of hacks, skills, and owns.
  
  

The above explanation comes from Microsoft

MORE information on common Internet signs, codes special symbols numbers that are used by kids and teens in chat rooms, email, instant messages and while surfing online: Check out Internet slang >>> Internet slang meaning of numbers and symbols >>> Online and chat room emoticons >>> For parents concerned about Internet Flaming and Bullying >>> Try the World's easiest and most powerful monitoring software for FREE! As seen on TV, featured on CNN and in NEWSWEEK. WebWatcher Didn't find what you were looking for? Try: http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/Chat/Guides/ Google's Index of Internet Chat Guides "http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wrader/slang/a.html A comprehensive dictionary of online slang from Berkeley

Internet Chat Room Emoticons - Symbols, slang, and other methods teens use to communicate with each other in Internet Chat Rooms. Keep this guide handy and keep yourself educated about what symbols are commonly used in all kinds of Internet Chat Rooms.