Texting Abbreviations

Dia Minha · #1 03-31-2011, 07:31 AM

Lately I have noticed a trend on Facebook with teens (and others) using texting abbreviations. People who would never swear in person are using "phrases" that I don't even want to post here, because I see them and they go off in my head.

I know they are most likely typing the abbreviation and thinking "What The Freak" or "Oh My Goodness", but that is not what I hear, when I read the abbreviation. It reminds me of the scripture that says, "Abstain from all appearance of evil".

Is it just me that this bothers? What do you think about it? Should the youth of the church, their leaders and others be encouraged not to use such abbreviations to avoid the "appearance of evil"? Like I said, most likely they are just so innocent they just don't see it. I guess that make me wish I was just as innocent so that I didn't see it.

bookworm · #2 03-31-2011, 05:54 PM

It bothers me as well. Of course our youth should be encouraged to avoid the appearance of evil, but if they aren't in MY stewardship, I can't really do anything about it. I realize they need my love and charity (as in, overlooking these faults), and if they ever fall into my stewardship, then my guidance, but for now I choose to just let it go.

Many of the kids that are the "youth of the church" don't consider it the "appearance of evil", I'm sure, as they probably only think "Oh my gosh" when they post that abbreviation. Though, the "what the freak" one pushes that theory, doesn't it?

I know when my 6th grader says the words "That's so freakin' cool!" He isn't thinking the actual F-bomb. He thinks he's just being expressive. Though, I have been trying to get him to understand that word is just a bit too close...

Maybe not all youth are as innocent as me, and maybe some DO mean what it implies, but I like to give people (especially young people) the benefit of the doubt.

**5ft Diva** · #3 04-04-2011, 02:22 AM

Two things come to mind. One is that my son, the other day, was telling me that the subtle innuendos he hears when he watches a certain tv series don't bother him because he's desensitized from them because he hears worse from school. (And how is this supposed to make me feel better?, I asked him.) It doesn't really fit into anything as far as answering your question goes, but it's what the kids are thinking so know that going into this if you haven't thought about it already.

The second thing is to talk to your child (and any other child who happens to hang out around your home who is willing to listen - we have lots of those) about the concept of being unspotted from the world. It was talked about by at least two speakers that I'm aware of during GC (one of them being our prophet) so it must be something that is pretty important.

Saying it doesn't mean they will be obedient to your desires, it just means you're planting seeds which is never a bad thing in my book.

As far as your questions....the quote from GC (and I'm paraphrasing) about preach the gospel as often as possible and if necessary use words, comes to mind.

P.S. My "any other child who happens to hang out around your home who is willing to listen" comment isn't in contradiction to what BW said about not having stewardship for other children - I totally agree with what she said. I'm just meaning to say that parents need allies and if my child hears at their friend's house that their parent has the same values I do they are less likely to keep up the habit.

bookworm · #4 04-04-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5ft Diva

P.S. My "any other child who happens to hang out around your home who is willing to listen" comment isn't in contradiction to what BW said about not having stewardship for other children - I totally agree with what she said. I'm just meaning to say that parents need allies and if my child hears at their friend's house that their parent has the same values I do they are less likely to keep up the habit.

Diva, I am with you here. I consider them within my bubble of stewardship for the time they are in my home-- their parents are expecting me to keep them safe and provide a good environment for them to hang out in, right? That's definitely my responsibility, and if I notice language being used, etc., I will always comment about it. I think, though, on Facebook or other social media sites that is not necessarily the case. Tricky world we live in...