The links below will lead you to free online resources that can help you Know More about Internet safety, computer security and related issues.

CyberAngels
... launched by the Guardian Angels, this organization provides online safety education.

CyberTipLine
... report cases of child sexual exploitation.

FBI Publications - A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
... includes signs that your child might be at risk online.

Federal Trade Commission
... "a one-stop national resource to learn about the crime of identity theft."

GetNetWise
"... a public service brought to you by Internet industry corporations and public interest organizations to help ensure that Internet users have safe, constructive, and educational or entertaining online experiences."

InfraGard
"... the nation's largest volunteer organization dedicated to critical infrastructure protection."

INOBETR.org (I Know Better)
... "keeping kids safe online" -- a site to help Missourians with online safety.

i-SAFE
"... dedicated to protecting the online experiences of youth everywhere."

LAVASOFT
... provides free Ad-Aware program

Missouri Attorney General's Office
... provides online access to the Attorney General's publication about identity theft.

NetLingo
... a glossary of online business, technology and text lingo.

NetSmartz Workshop
... Internet safety tips for parents/guardians, educators, law enforcement, teens and younger kids.

Spybot
... protects against spyware in return for a donation.

The St. Charles County Cyber Crime Unit
...conducts proactive online investigations aimed at identifying and making viable criminal cases against individuals who prey on children via the Internet.

Trend Micro
... provides free computer virus scan with its HouseCall program.

U.S. Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Forces
... for the "prevention, detection, mitigation and aggressive investigation of attacks on the nation's financial and critical infrastructures."

Wired Safety
... "provides help, information and education to Internet and mobile device users of all ages. We help victims of cyberabuse ranging from online fraud, cyberstalking and child safety, to hacking and malicious code attacks. We also help parents with issues, such as MySpace and cyberbullying."

Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHOA)
... a volunteer organization fighting online harassment through education of the general public and law enforcement as well as empowerment of victims.

"OMG, XLNT 411 4U, KWIM?"

Parents, are you confused at the shorthand slang your child is using online? Below is a list of common acronyms often found on forums, message boards, chat boards, and instant messages. Enter "chat acronyms" in a search engine (Google, Yahoo, MSN, Ask.com, etc.) to find more acronyms if you don't see it here. K?


2U2 - To you too
411 - Information or gossip
4U - for you
9 - Someone is looking over my shoulder
99 - The person has left the room
? - Huh?
?4U - Question for you
A3 - Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere
AFAIK - As Far As I Know
ASL - Age, Sex, Location
ATM - At the moment
BFN- (Good)Bye for now
BBIAB - Be back in a bit
BCNU - Be Seeing You
BF - Boyfriend
BFF - Best Friends Forever
BM Val - Be My Valentine
BRB - Be Right Back
BTW - By the way ...
BWL - Bursting with laughter
CTN - Can't talk now
CU@ - See you at ...
CUL - See You Later
CYA - See Ya
CYE - Check Your E-mail
DIKU - Do I know you?
DL - Download
DOM - Dirty old man
F - Female
F8 - Fate
FWIW - For What It's Worth
GMTA - Great Minds Think Alike
HAND - Have a Nice Day
HRU - How Are You?
IAC - In any case
IAD8 - It's a Date
IC - I see
IDK - I don't know
IIRC - If I recall correctly
IK - I know
IM - Instant Message
IM4U - I'm for You
IMME- Instant Message Me ("Send me an instant message")
IMHO - In my humble opinion
IMO - In my opinion
IMNSHO - In my not so humble opinion
IPN - I'm posting naked
IRL - In real life
IYKWIM - If You Know What I Mean
JC - Just curious
JK or J/K - Just Kidding
JMHO - Just My Humble Opinion
K - OK
KIT - Keep in touch
KOTC - Kiss on the Cheek
KWIM - Know What I Mean?
L8 - Late
L8R - Later
LDR - Long Distance Relationship
LOL - Laughing out loud
LMAO - Laughing my a** off
LSKOL - Long, Slow Kiss on the Lips
LTNS - Long Time, No See
M - Male
MHO - My Humble Opinion
MMA - Meet me at
MMB - Message me back
MSG - Message
MTE - My Thoughts Exactly
MU - Miss You
MUSM - Miss You So Much
MYOB - Mind your own business
N/A - Not available
NE1 - Anyone
NP - No Problem
OIC - Oh, I See!
OMG - Oh, my gosh
OTOH - On The Other Hand
P911 - Parent in the room, watch your language
PAL - Parents are listening
PCM - Please Call Me
PDA - Public display of affection
PHAT - Pretty hot and tempting
PIR - People in room
PLS or PLZ - Please
PM - Private message
POS - Parent over shoulder
PPL - People
QT - Cutie
ROFL or ROTFL - Rolling on the floor laughing
RPG - Role playing game
RUOK - Are You OK?
SAHM - Stay-At-Home Mom
SOS - Someone over shoulder
SOSO - Same old, same old
STR8 - Straight
SUP - What's up?
TBC - To be continued
TBH - To be honest
TC - Take care
THX - Thanks
TIA - Thanks In Advance
TIE - Take It Easy
TISNF - That is so not fair
TLC - Tender love and care
TMI - Too much information
TOH - Typing one-handed
TTFN - Ta-Ta for Now
TTYL - Talk To You Later
TTYS - Talk To You Soon
TY - Thank You
U2 - You too
U4E - Yours Forever
UR - You are
UR4ME - You Are for Me
UROK - You Are OK
VBG - Very big grin
XLNT - Excellent
XO - Hugs and Kisses
YGM - You Got Mail
YMMV - Your Mileage May Vary