Like it or not, social media platforms that your kids use such as Snapchat come with their languages. So for parents, it can sometimes be tricky to work out what their kids are saying online. Among the catchphrases you’ll hear over and over are things like ‘TBH.’ If you’re curious as to what TBH means on Snapchat, this guide is for you. TBH is something like ‘to be honest,’ but kinda depends on what you’re saying and who you’re saying it to.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the background of TBH mean Snapchat, and understand how it works. We’ll also cover what parents need to know to keep up with the everyday use of this ambiguous internet slang.
Where did the slang TBH originate?
But the term ‘TBH’ isn’t new at all, it’s been around for a bloody long time under different meanings.
- Early usage: It has always been part of everyday language ‘to be honest.’ Like to say something, or express some relationship to something, for truthfulness or sincerity. In spoken language, it was used before the internet to emphasize honesty.
- Internet beginnings: Because chatrooms, forums, and instant messaging became very popular in the early 2000 people started shortening common phrases. As the word got around, the acronym ‘TBH’ (or, ‘To be honest’ to use its full letters) quickly embedded itself into online chat. From there, it expanded to message boards and early social media platforms.
- Rise in social media: It took off on sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. There people started using it as a conversation starter.
- Current use in Snapchat culture: Now, TBH, is a widely used internet slang term, especially by younger users on Snapchat. It isn’t a ‘to be honest’ kind of thing but a way to start interaction. Moreover, it can be a way to make friends often or to express admiration.
What does TBH mean on Snapchat?
On Snapchat, “TBH” can mean both ‘to be honest’ and slightly underhanded ‘telling the truth but stalling for time.’ Still, it’s all in context.
Below are different contexts where TBH meaning appears and what it means in each situation:
- Expressing Honest Opinions: If it’s a ‘TBH’ comment, people will want to be straightforward and say that’s how they feel. For instance, “TBH, I think you’re nice” means you’re sincere.
- Giving Compliments: TBH has become a synonym for good news. For example, TBH, you are always so fun to talk to! It is done to make the receiver feel good.
- Building Connections: On their stories, a lot of teens will post “like for a TBH” for friends to like. A user posts when he or she likes a post and responds with a custom TBH compliment or comment.
- Asking for Honesty: However, in some cases, a user might ask for a TBH to find out how they’re perceived in society. It will also aspects of their personality, looks, or perception as a friend.
TBH has a flexible nature that fits many situations on Snapchat so that it is a usable way of social interaction among teens and can apply themselves to their personal relationships as they want.
TBH meaning on Snapchat Story and sendit?
The term TBH on Snapchat is usually seen with Story posts and apps such as sendit, which spice TBH up with interaction.
- On Snapchat Story: The TBH stories posts are an invitation for other teens to interact. Usually a compliment, friends who “like” the story get a personalized TBH comment. It is a feature that allows users to exchange and gain friendly feedback that bonds them to other people.
- In the sendit app: Snapchat users can receive anonymous questions or messages on sendit that give TBH comments some mystery. Users who write “Send me a TBH” are asking strangers to share with them anonymously an honest opinion about them. It offers teens a very different means of communication where they can say what they may not have been able to say out loud.
These are all sharing of TBH on Snapchat Story and sendit that together encourage interactions with honesty. Moreover, it sometimes leads to positive and confidence-building exchanges.
What does TBH mean in the text on Snapchat?
TBH on Snapchat is often very friendly (or somewhat heartfelt) in text form on sendit. Here are the typical meanings of TBH in text on Snapchat:
- Friendly affirmations: One in sendit responses is ‘TBH, I love hanging out with you.’
- Constructive criticism: TBH is sometimes used to air a little constructive feedback. “TBH you can tend to be a bit quiet in group chats, but you’re really funny one on one.”
- Self-esteem boosts: TBH is frequently teens use as an opportunity to give each other a little boost of confidence. This type of comment is one that might just be what that person needs that day. Like “TBH, you’re one of the coolest people I know!”
By being anonymous, this type of TBH is good, especially on an app like sendit, because it makes teens feel more open and more vulnerable. Moreover, they can be more authentic for being able to build trust and closeness.
What does TBH mean for a girl?
TBH is all about context, especially if it’s coming from a girl; unobvious social details shape how it’s seen.
Here are some meanings TBH might carry when used by a girl:
- Friendly compliment: TBH does not exist to ruin someone’s day. In most cases, a girl using TBH might be quite simply handing out a friendly, honest compliment. Something like “TBH, you’re super easy to talk to” is usually simply platonic, having good, friendly vibes.
- Interest indicator: A girl can play TBH sometimes to see if they can get other people’s reactions. So if the compliment doesn’t read as a one-way flirt nor is too harsh, it can be a subtle way to show that they like someone. “There, TBH, you’re different from anyone I’ve met.”
- Strengthening friendships: TBH is used by girls so each other person can feel appreciated and worthy.
TBH is generally friendly, but in short can suggest, or hint at, admiration or connection. It varies by wording and context.
What is the meaning of “give me a TBH”?
“Give me a TBH” is a type of request among teens mostly on Snapchat. Here’s what it usually means:
- Honest opinions Wanted: When you hear ‘give me a tbh’ they simply want an original thought. They’re just curious if other people can see them in any way other than that.
- Interactive icebreaker: It’s a friendly prompt to get conversations started. This is a kind of indirect way of inviting feedback.
- Confidence boost: When teens ask for a TBH, that’s often a sign they want a bit of positive reinforcement. It’s a cheap easy way to get compliments or to feel validated by their peers.
If you are a parent, then understanding this phrase can help you understand the kind of social dynamics the application is built for. You’ll understand where teens desire to get feedback and validation in a way that they feel is inclusive.
What does the emoji TBH mean?
When paired with emojis, TBH can convey a range of emotions on Snapchat:
- ❤️ Heart emojis: A TBH comment with a heart emoji when someone uses it converts into an affectionate or appreciative tone. This emoji can be used as a sign of admiration or this is a heart-felt compliment.
- 😊 Smile emojis: It might not be anything too deep, TBH, but it’s a friendly, light-hearted comment. This can be ‘TBH 😊 you’re one of my favorite people!’ for example.
- 🔥 Fire emojis: When speaking of the person found cool, fun, or attractive in TBH, the fire emoji might stand for it. It’d end up being “TBH 🔥 you have great style.”
TBH allows emojis used to compliment or start a conversation to be used with more sentiment and meaning and to add strength to the compliment or sentiment when it’s sent.
How TBH is used on Snapchat?
There are countless scenarios where TBH can be used on Snapchat, each with its unique intent and meaning:
- Friendly compliments: TBH is usually used to pass on compliments or nice things you would say to a friend. Like “TBH you have the best smile!”
- Interactive posts: This is often published as “like for a TBH” where the teens will post their story and ask that their friends like the messages and they’ll get a personalized reply.
- Constructive criticism: Teens may use TBH to give helpful feedback nicely, too.
- Building trust: This form of interaction is characterized by honesty, something which can be built upon by comments uploaded on TBH which teens can use as a way of building trust with their peers.
What should I reply to TBH?
If someone sends you a TBH on Snapchat, here are a few simple yet effective responses:
- Express gratitude: “Thank you! That made my day 😊”
- Return the compliment: I mean, TBH, I feel the same about you!”
- Acknowledge the feedback: “Haha, that’s so true. Thanks for the honesty!”
- Invite more interaction: “Thanks! Now give me a TBH 😁”
All of these responses help keep the conversation flowing and show appreciation while keeping things friendly.
Other popular Gen Z slang similar to TBH
It’s just the first step in understanding TBH for parents, however. Here are some other Gen Z slangs that carry similar meanings:
- IMO: Short for “In My Opinion.” It’s the same as TBH to express your opinion or perspective on a topic.
- IDC: Stands for “I Don’t Care.” It is just a simple way of saying you are bored.
- GOAT: Greatest of All Time, an acronym. It means to apply praise to someone who is excelling at something.
- Low-key: It means ‘secretly’ or ‘subtly.’ In everyday parlance, it is used to say something very lightly.
- No Cap: Used in stressing truthfulness; “no lie.”
- Bet: This means “okay” or “sure.” You can agree to something.
They strengthen online dialogue and make expressing complicated feelings easy.
How do I know what Snapchat slang my kids are using?
Keeping up with internet slang can be challenging, but as a parent, there are ways to stay informed and better understand what your kids are saying online:
- Trending hashtags: On Twitter and TikTok, follow hashtags covering popular slang terms. This is simple to retain updated.
- Snapchat community: One thing you can do is to join online groups of other people who are interested in Snapchat, youth culture, and things like that, so that you can learn just for understanding, you know, little things that go into social media behavior.
- Watching trendy content: You need to pay attention to what’s trending in Snapchat and social media in general.
- Parental control apps: Parental control tool FlashGet Kids is designed to prevent kids from visiting inappropriate apps. It enables you to see their activity and can tell whether they are in a safe online environment or not.
If your kid is exposing themselves to popular slang terms online, you can use tools like FlashGet Kids to stay updated on the newest slang terms and better comprehend your child’s online experiences.
Other benefits of FlashGet Kids
The utility presented by FlashGet Kids doesn’t just end at helping up keep up with the slang terms. Instead, you need to consider this app as a complete parental control fix. It gives you every monitoring feature that you’d expect from a robust parental control tool.
Here is a list of other benefits you can get with FlashGet Kids.
- Remote camera and one-way audio for surround monitoring (in case of emergencies).
- Location tracking and geofencing to keep track of your child when he’s outside.
- Screen mirroring and remote snapshots to see everything going on on your child’s phone.
- Notification tracking and keyword detection to ensure your child isn’t getting targeted by predators.
- Screen time limits and app blockers to keep your child away from inappropriate apps.
- Usage reports and analytics to know what your kid does on their phone all day.
Bottom line
Parents who wish to connect to their children’s online lives need to understand what “TBH mean Snapchat” is. TBH isn’t just an abbreviation, but rather a way that today’s teens communicate, feel, and connect online.
One of the things that FlashGet Kids can do is help you stay informed. Moreover, it can create a safe social media environment for your kids. This will help you understand which phrases such as TBH mean better, so you will be able to connect with your child’s world better.
