On the Radar: ‘Mewing’, ‘Almond Daughters’ and ‘Algo-Speak’

Teenage Boys Obsess Over Sculpted Jawlines

What? Promising to deliver well-defined jawlines, “products like ‘jaw trainers,’ meant to be gnawed on in 10-minute intervals, and ‘facial fitness’ gum” have popped up all over social media, along with techniques alleged to improve oral posture, such as “mewing” (pressing your tongue to the roof of your mouth), according to NBC News.

So What? These products and methods haven’t been studied on a wide scale. And dental professionals are skeptical of the end results advertised.

Now What? Dentist Mark Burhenne, cofounder of the Ask the Dentist podcast, reminds folks “that strengthening one’s jaw muscles won’t change its shape.” He adds that because teenagers are still developing, they may not see the jaw definition they want until later in life. He cautions that these products may be “an expensive endeavor for likely no real result.” At worst, chewing on “fitness” gum for prolonged periods of time may crack a weak tooth (and the companies behind these products don’t recommend use for anyone with pre-existing jaw problems).

‘Almond Daughters’ Spark Rage on Social Media

What? An “almond daughter” is a young woman who maintains a certain bodily figure through “tiny, ultra healthy meals and grueling exercise regimes,” according to DailyMail.

So What? The term is a Gen Z spin-off of the controversial “almond mom” trend, wherein mothers encourage these habits in their daughters (often through example), setting them up to be “obsessed with food and their bodies in ways that are toxic and extremely harmful,” said an eating-disorder specialist.

Now What? The general consensus is that being an “almond” mom or daughter could be harmful to your health. And families should consult medical professionals before starting any nutrition or exercise program. However, the term has perhaps been unfairly applied to folks on social media. And parents should be mindful if the term is being used as an insult by or against their teen.

‘Algo-Speak’ Terms Parents May Want to Know

What? “Algo-speak” is a form of Aesopian language used online, wherein words that might prompt a post’s removal by moderators or filters are replaced with less triggering terms or intentional misspellings.

So What? This certainly isn’t a new phenomenon. Conspiracies, underground movements and secret organizations have used different kinds of Aesopian language for centuries. But for parents, algo-speak makes it harder than ever to filter out the sort of unsavory content they may not want their kids exposed to.

Now What? Not every algo-speak term is bad. In fact, sometimes algo-speak is used to have important discussions about topics that otherwise would have been filtered out. But here are a few terms that may raise some red flags for parents: “seggs” means “sex”; “SA” stands for “sexual assault”; “accountants” is a common substitution for sex workers; the corn emoji is used for pornography; “cheese pizza” has been “widely used by accounts offering to trade explicit imagery of children,” says Forbes; “camping” often refers to abortion-related issues; and “becoming unalive” is about suicidal thoughts. (You can speak with a counselor by contacting Focus on the Family at 1-855-771-HELP or by visiting our website.)