It can be quite challenging for parents to decode what the social media language is at any given time. New terms and abbreviations emerge and we have no idea what our teenagers are talking about in cyberspace. One such term that has been gaining popularity lately is “NFS.” To learn about NFS meaning, you might have to probe your teen. If you’ve witnessed your child or their peers utilize it on Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok, you must be asking yourself if it is something to worry about.
Knowing the term and its multiple definitions on various social networks can help minimize the communication gap between us and our teens. In this article, we are going to discuss what NFS means and how teens use it in their daily communication. We will also talk about whether it is ok for them to refer to themselves by this term and learn about the newest developments of this generation of the Internet.
What does NFS mean?
The term NFS stands for several phrases in one or the other circumstances it is written or used. If you find your teen using this term, the meaning will be unclear and hence it is imperative to understand the situation. Here are the most common meanings of NFS:
- Not for sale. This is the most popular understanding of NFS. If your teen hits you with a statement such as, ‘This is NFS,’ it just means that what is in reference is not for sale. It’s often applied on Instagram when teenagers post images of items they have but don’t have any intention to sell e.g. clothes, shoes and other accessories.
- No funny stuff. It can also stand for “No Funny Stuff.” This is used when someone wants to be serious or simply doesn’t want to tell a joke or something funny. For instance, a teen may say “I will assist you with the project but NFS please.”
- Need for speed. This one belongs to the long line of video games by the same name; Need for Speed. If your teen is discussing such things as video games then they might use NFS to mean playing a racing game. For example; “I will be racing in NFS tonight with friends.”
- No filter sunday. In Instagram terminology, NFS means “No Filter Sunday”. It is a social media phenomenon when individuals share no touch-ups or filter photos on Sundays. These are natural images without any editing.
Each of these meanings may appear in different circumstances. Okay now, let’s look at how NFS is specifically applied in the context of Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok.
What does NFS mean on Instagram?
Instagram is another platform on which teens post images and videos that are rich with hashtags and captions. If we speak about NFS on Instagram it is possible to have many meanings depending on what has been written in the post or comment. Here are some common ways your teen might use NFS on Instagram:
- Not for sale. This is especially true for teenagers whose special desire is to share their new look or some valuable items. Sometimes, it is necessary to inform people that something is out of sale. For instance, if a teen puts a photo of the sneakers they just bought they are likely to type something like ‘These kicks are 🔥, but sorry, they’re NFS.’
- No filter sunday. Instagram has been found to have many filters that users can apply to their photos. But there is an apprehending filter on Sunday to force users to post pictures naturally. A caption like, “Here’s the real me, #NFS” will be used by a teen when they feel like they want to make a simple, raw post.
- Not feeling social. Analyzing NFS on Instagram, we get another meaning: “Not Feeling Social.” Some kids utilize it to state they want to stop using social media or socializing altogether for a while. For instance, the message one might find on the social media profile of a company might be, “Off duty, NFS today.”
These variations of NFS provide enough flexibility for teens about their discourse. This is especially so if one is unsure of which type of NFS is being referred to in a comment, post, or caption of a photo or video.
What does NFS mean on Snapchat?
Another platform that teens seem to love is Snapchat because it is all about conveying short messages that self-erase. Given that Snapchat primarily encompasses an instant way of sharing content through a limited number of images or videos, teenagers have a habit of using such terms and codes as NFS in this app. Here’s how you can interpret NFS on Snapchat:
- Not for sale. As with Instagram, NFS on Snapchat stands for not for sale and confirms that an item cannot be bought. If a teen took a photo of a favorite jacket or accessory they might jot beside it NFS to let people know it is not up for sale.
- No funny stuff. Teens also use NFS in their snaps for clarity or seriousness in a conversation. For instance, instead of ‘Let’s meet at 7 PM NFS’ where NFS stands for No Funny Stuff, they are likely to post a picture to a friend with the same message.
- No filter snap. Teenagers enjoy Snapchat filters but at times they would like to be real. In this case, NFS can refer to “No Filter Snap” which means that the photo in question has not been exercised through the filter. For example, a teen uses the caption “Here’s real me, NFS” while snapping a picture to friends.
- Not for screenshots:Not for screenshots is a warning for people not to take any screenshots.This could take places in a private conversation.
Snapchat is informal and temporary, which means it is ideal for quick emotions. NFS is one of the numerous abbreviations teenagers use.
What does NFS mean on TikTok?
TikTok is the place for short clips and has its peculiarities, trends, challenges and specific language. NFS on TikTok carries similar meanings as on other platforms. But there are unique ways teens incorporate it into their content:
- Not for sale. Many TikTok creators demonstrate products, clothes, or something special or new in their videos. If something cannot be given to people, they will inform their followers by using NFS in the caption part. For instance, someone might record themselves wearing a lovely jacket with the caption: “I love this jacket, but it’s NFS,” this appears in a TikTok featuring fashion hauls.
- Need for speed. For the love of video games, gamers post their experience, tips, tricks and fun moments while playing their games on TikTok. For instance, if your teen is interested in racing games particularly Need for Speed, they may post a TikTok to that effect and write; About to play some NFS, who’s with me?
- Not feeling social. Like in the case of Instagram, some TikTok users are occasionally required to take a break from interactions. Teenagers may post videos on the reason they are leaving social media for a while with captions like, ‘Taking a break, NFS today.’
That way, NFS can be included in trends, and even text mentioned in the captions of videos, or can be directly said in a video. That is why youths find it rather flexible to the contents they create which makes them apply the term often.
Where does NFS come from?
The slang term NFS has come through a lot of transformations and has developed in several areas before changing the meaning it holds now. One can only draw a good understanding of how the language is used in today’s social context once we try to understand where and how it came from.
- Video game origins. Recall that NFS is one of the oldest and the most popular game franchises that come from the same workshop. The modern racing game franchise was born in the early 90s and did not take long to achieve popularity. Finally, NFS was just the abbreviation for the game with the full name staying somewhat more concealed among gamers.
- Marketplace jargon. One typical form comes from websites such as eBay or Craigslist where people use the abbreviation NFS which means “Not For Sale”. It was used in these platforms and then went on a further depth into common discussions and ultimately to social media.
- Social Media Trends. The hashtag culture on Instagram has given such terms as “No Filter Sunday.” There were several reasons but I would like to say that the recognition of the NFS abbreviation began when more people joined the concept of posting raw and unadjusted images on Sundays.
This has all gone a long way into making NFS famous today, all thanks to video game culture, marketplace language and trends from social media.
How teens use NFS in different context?
There are some practical and casual expressions. Teens make any usual slang known to many and turn it around into any new situation they find themselves in, fully sprucing up their conversations. Here’s how your teen might use NFS in different contexts:
- In text conversations. If your teen is texting a friend about plans and wants to make sure the friend will truly understand that he or she is serious about it, your teen may use NFS. For instance, they call it “I’ll pick you up at 8, NFS.”
- In social media posts. Today youths love to share their clothes, accessories, or any other classy item on sites like Instagram or Snapchat. NFS can explain that something cannot be bought. A teen might write ‘Love these sneakers, but they’re NFS’ so that people do not approach and offer to buy them from him.
- In gaming chats. If your teen is discussing with friends topics such as video games, there is a chance they may come across NFS regarding the need for speed. For example, “I love NFS! I have spent many hours in this game.”
- In DMs. At other times, teens wish they could be direct in instant messages. In a chat, they turn and type, “I will not be able to make it to the party NFS” as a way of telling them that one is serious with their plans.
Most teens noted that they apply NFS in a versatile nature by attending to the context of the conversation or of the material being passed around.
Is it okay for teens to use the term like NFS?
NFS is generally an acronym for good things rather than bad ones. Whether it is to label things ‘Not For Sale’ or use them for Need for Speed, there’s nothing wrong with it.
Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind:
- Context matters. Most of the time NFS is not dangerous. And just like any other slang term, it may be used in a way that seems off at a specific time. To get a sense of how they are using NFS it is best to ask your teen. And then proceed to follow up on whether they use it correctly.
- Encourage conversation. The only way I have found to be able to keep up with my teen’s language and their online habits is to talk. Be curious about what they are using in their day-to-day language and inquire about any new terminology. This fosters an environment within which they end up opening up to you.
- In general, NFS is a favorable term but it’s always wise to monitor your teenager’s social media activity.
How to know what words they use in their social media?
Watching how teens use the language on the internet can be quite tasking. But with the help of applications such as FlashGet Kids, this becomes much more easier. This app is for parents who may wish to keep an eye on their child’s prospective social media account without intrusion.
- Keyword Detection. FlashGet Kids has the option to search for certain keywords or search for popular slang such as NFS. If your kid uses those words in the text messages or within the post, the application will notify you.
- Real-time Alerts. There are apps that parents can put into their teen’s mobile phone which informs them immediately if their teen has used certain slang or words. This way you are aware of what language they are using online.
- Non-intrusive. FlashGet Kids enables you to easily watch what your teen is up to without necessarily snooping on them. It is a sneaky way to be in touch while at the same time giving your child the ability to roam free in the social network.
FlashGet Kids made me think that by parents using such tools, they can follow their teenagers’ lives online and learn about the slang and the acronyms used by their teenagers such as NFS.
Conclusion
This type of information such as NFS means different to parents and teens and can be useful for parents communicating with teens today. Explaining the meaning of NFS from Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok helps one to monitor their teenager’s activity. And it can make sure that they are using appropriate language. That is why initiatives like FlashGet Kids provide a nice way to get oneself updated without necessarily being all intrusive. Be reachable, be honest, and never run out of date with the language of social networking!
