2026-02-04
by What is IRL? The acronym means "In Real Life" and has become crucial internet slang, dividing the digital world from real life. IRL came in the early days of the internet's use of chat rooms, but re-emerged with social media and gaming. Understanding IRL is important because it speaks to people's negotiation of dual identities - one that is curated online and another that is lived physically. For children and teens, IRL is a potential critical line between what is private and what is posted. Parents need to be aware of IRL terminology because it links to issues of safety…
