What’s the Netflix and chill meaning: more than just a phrase

The Netflix and chill meaning can be confusing to boomers, especially in the current age of slang overuse. It is especially popular among Teens and young adults. While, it looks like an ordinary and possibly, pointless message – watching Netflix and merely chilling – but it is much more profound than it would be initially expected. Parents must get familiar with this phrase for its hidden meaning may trigger misunderstanding or impulsive actions from the youth.

The phrase has a dual nature: it’s both literal and slang. In its simplest form, it means just lying around and streaming videos from Netflix. However, in internet slang, the term has become something quite different. In this article, we are going to explain the meaning of the phrase, how it is used, and its effects.

What does Netflix and chill mean?

The meaning of Netflix and chill has become increasingly popular these days. It may seem simple: just sit back log into Netflix and watch a movie or a show. But that is not the end of the story.

As far as teenagers and young adults are concerned, it is an invitation for a one-night stand. People often rely on this slang with provocative gestures for sexual advances with potential partners. So, you’ll need to keep your child in check if you find them using this phrase.

In the subsequent parts of this article, we shall discuss the various aspects of the phrase. This includes both the explicit and the literal so that you fully understand when people say “Netflix and chill.”

The literal meaning

Let’s start with the original meaning: Netflix and chill was the term people thought it was, watch some Netflix. You were either a student or coming from work to just sit down in front of the TV for Netflix. The phrase meant a means of lighting up and taking a break.

From this perspective, Netflix and Chill was about family-friendly settings. You could watch a movie, or a series, or watch your favorite show that you hadn’t seen in a while. It was done by everyone; families, friends, and those in love groups, couples, everyone.

The implicit meaning

Today, the phrase Netflix and chill does not even involve watching Netflix much less chilling. Instead, it has been reduced to having substandard meaning referring to an uncomplicated sexual affair. When a man says it in a romantic context, he is talking beyond the simple act of watching TV. It has transformed into a kind of signal to get closer. This more often leads to informal hookups but not to a serious relationship.

This, to parents, should sound alarming. Thus, if your teenager uses this phrase, you should know that they can discuss far more than watching a movie. This Netflix and chill means something completely different here. That is why you need to monitor the kind of language your child uses. Often predators rely on this slang to entrap younger teens, making them think that they are cool if they participate in inappropriate activities.

The origin and popularity of Netflix and chill

But, how did such an otherwise innocent activity as relaxing with a movie and a personal favorite become associated with some form of sexual activity? It is possible to distinguish the change from social media and the influence of internet culture.

The first time that the phrase was used can today be traced back to the year 2009. Then, it was just a case of watching Netflix and chill. But, as with many Internet phenomena, it developed rapidly. By 2014, the phrase had evolved, as it became popular to find it in memes and jokes. Whilst the original definition of Netflix and chill stemmed from a Reddit post, it was on social network platforms. These include Twitter and Tumblr where this slang meaning of the phrase gained immense popularity.

The use of memes influenced a lot on how the phrase propagated to the level that is today. Every time more and more users shared these jokes, the new meaning of Netflix and chill became well-known. And by 2015 anyone using the phrase knew that something more than watching TV was being discussed. So, if you were confused about the meaning, just know that it almost always implies sexual activities.

How people use the slang Netflix and chill

It is just another way of referring to casual sex. Since its appearance, it has passed from appealing vernacular to mainstream popular usage. This is especially true among teenagers and people in their twenties.

Here are some examples of how the Netflix and chill meaning  is used in different contexts:

• In text messages: “Can we just Netflix and chill tonight?” Here the invitation is much more than just watching television.
• Social media posts: Anyone can write something like “Netflix and chill kind of night” above the picture. Moreover, they may attach the wink instead of the face emoji to imply its slang context.

In all of these cases, the phrase has been intended to be considered in its slang sense of the meaning. Quite frankly, it is quite surprising to hear someone use it literally and this change or shift should help parents decipher it more accurately.

What’s the impact of Netflix and chill on minors?

One of the biggest problems connected to Netflix and Chill is its effect on children and adolescents. As this slang continues getting common, young people and even kids who may have no detailed knowledge of these phrases may start using it. This can lead to a kid’s inability to distinguish between meaningful connection, sexual relationships, and non-consensually acted upon sex.

Here are some of the potential consequences for minors:

• Misunderstanding relationships: Using this phrase teens may start perceiving intimacy as a casual and irrelevant event.
• Peer pressure: Sometimes kids can fall into peer pressure by mimicking their friends. This is especially true if the phrase or the behaviors behind it are used by friends without understanding the consequences.
• Sexualization of everyday language.

It becomes crucial to discuss with your children about such issues, and not let them learn everything from the internet. There is minimal regulation on these platforms, and your child will likely end up doing something they regret later on.

How to keep minors safe on Netflix?

As we all know, Netflix is a popular service and it is important to guard kids from watching obscene materials. On the one hand, Netflix has much programming suitable for children. On the other hand, much of the content is inappropriate for children. Thankfully though, there are strategies that parents can employ to protect their kids from having a poor experience.

Resort to the parental control app

One of the effective ways of protecting minors on Netflix is through parental control apps such as FlashGet Kids. It will also provide parents with a tool to manage the kind of content and the duration of exposure.

Key features of FlashGet Kids include:

• Screen time limits: You can set the time your child uses Netflix each day to the extent you want.
• Screen mirroring and Snapshots: You can remotely get a copy of everything going on on your child’s phone. This will let you know if your child is watching something inappropriate when using Netflix on their phone.
• Activity tracking: This feature will give you detailed usage reports. From there, you’ll be able to determine if your child is getting addicted to Netflix and how you should modify the screen time limits.

Parental control apps are the best way to shield your child from potentially inappropriate content on Netflix. Moreover, you will still give him safe access to Netflix’s extensive catalog of programs and films.

Create a profile for kids on Netflix.

Besides the external apps, there are parental controls within Netflix to help your child have a safe experience. When you register for an account you can tailor which kinds of shows your kid can come across.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to setting up a kids’ profile:

Step 1. Go to Netflix and sign in to your account, click on “Manage Profiles.”

Step 2. Just open a new profile and be sure to set it as ‘Child’s profile.’

Step 3. You can further modify the age filter by adjusting the content rating.

Step 4. It’s advisable to keep track of activity frequently so you can change your child’s habits to meet the required standards.

Personally, I find the existing parental control factors to be enough to keep young kids away from harmful content. However, if your child can crack the password or is a bit tech-savvy, you’ll have to rely on more robust solutions like a parental control app.

Bonus for parents: other trending slang like Netflix and chill on Netflix

There are quite several other trending terms which have similar connotations and are used in like manner. Here are a few examples:

• Hulu and hug: Like digital media streaming giant Netflix and lying around watching movies all day, this is sometimes a code for intimacy.
• Disney+ and thrust: Another newer phrase that has the same sort of innuendo as Netflix and chill.

Knowing these phrases, you can familiarize yourself with the language your child may come across, whether it must be on the Internet or when speaking to friends.

Conclusion

Parents need to know what language kids are subjected to and what trends they are familiar with. The Netflix and chill meaning has changed from what used to be an entertaining to an inappropriate act. So, you’ll have to keep track of your child if you find them using this slang frequently with friends.

With such tools as FlashGet Kids and Netflix’s inherent filtration system you as a parent can ensure your kids do not watch things that will harm them. Similarly, by being open with your child and ensuring that you employ the right safety measures you can guide your child through the digital age. So, be more proactive when it comes to keeping track of your kid digitally.

FAQs