If you’re a parent, you’re likely worried about the speed things are changing in the ways children are communicating online. You may have seen (or heard) the term ‘WS,’ as it’s a very popular term. It gets thrown around in chats on Snapchat, Instagram, and so forth. So, what is the WS meaning, and whether or not you should be concerned when you see it in your child’s conversation? Knowing what online slang is can help you steer your kids through the digital world using safe and responsible terms.
We break down the “WS” meaning across platforms from there and explain how it’s used in different contexts. From there, we’ll offer examples of when it can be benign and when it’s a red flag. Being a concerned parent, you want to know what the words mean so that you can remain open to communication. This will also help you make sure your child isn’t being exposed to harmful interactions.
What does WS mean?
That’s one of those terms where it is an abbreviation for something different on each platform, in certain contexts, and often used by whoever is using it. It’s an innocent term in so many situations, but it becomes, well, more problematic in others. Understanding these conversations your child might be having depends on knowing when and where these meanings shift.
Now let’s take a look at how people ‘WS’ use on platforms like Snapchat, Instagram, and WhatsApp, and less used situations like in gaming, relationships, etc. This guide will take you from casual connections to more adult or even dangerous situations, and will help you understand ‘WS.’
WS meaning text Snapchat.
On Snapchat, “WS” is the abbreviation for “With Snap”. What they call snaps are short videos or pictures shared in real-time on Snapchat. These are only available to the user who owns or receives the snap. If someone texted you, “WS”, you’d assume they’re sending you a photo or video. For example, you might say, “Check out my story, WS.” (Meaning: Follow me on Snap.)
The app is for fast exchanges. Snapchat users are often trying to exchange information quickly. Here it’s just ‘WS’, which isn’t terribly harmful and typical ‘Snapchat’ casual communication style. But it’s always a good idea for parents to stay aware of the overall discussion.
WS meaning in Instagram
Coming to Instagram “WS” usually comes as an abbreviation for “With Stories” or “With Share.” Instagram Stories is a feature where users post pictures or videos which disappear after 24 hours. If you say “WS,” it usually means to say you’re sharing something in your Story or that you’ve posted something. For example, you can say “I’ll post the pics, WS.” (Meaning: In fact, I might put the pictures on Stories.)
This is another one of those “WS” times where it is pretty innocent and is just a part of everyday social media things. But with Stories, they can vanish in a day. So, parents need to encourage children to consider the lasting consequences of what they post even if it’s fleeting.
WS meaning in WhatsApp chat
In WhatsApp, ‘WS’ (often) means ‘With Status.’ Recall that WhatsApp Status is pretty similar to Instagram or Snapchat stories. In these, users post short updates that disappear after 24 hours. This would mean in this case that somebody might use “WS” to show viewers that they’ve added a status along with their message. For example: you might say to your friend, “I sent the location, WS.” This means I sent that status with the location.
Usually, WhatsApp is used to send messages to friends and family. Still, it is good to not forget how ‘slang’ such as ‘WS’ is used here. It’s generally harmless, but if it starts to get inappropriate, or personal info is being over-shared, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
WS meaning in chat from a girl or a guy.
The meaning of “WS” in girl or guy chats will depend on whether the conversation is light or heavy. For the most part, it is used for something like “with”, but it might mean something else depending on the context. For instance, you say, “I’m at the mall WS Sarah.” (Meaning: I’m at the mall with Sarah.)
Now “WS,” an innocent use that simply refers to someone hanging out with other people. But in conversation of a romantic or flirtatious nature, it could mean something else. This allows you to stay engaged with your child’s communication habits, so you can get to know the nuances of their interactions.
WS meaning in Grindr
There are also specific terms used on Grindr, which runs on that specific community. On Grindr, “WS” is commonly used for “Water Sports,” a slang for an act of sexual activity involving urine. Though this is still certainly oversimplifying it for younger audiences, this is a much more mature, explicit use of the term.
For example, some people might write in their Grindr bio, “Looking for WS.” (Meaning: I’m looking for someone into water sports.)
If your child is using Grindr or any other dating app, it is essential to talk about internet safety. You need to discuss the dangers of seeing mature content long before they see it. Protecting younger users of Grindr (and indeed other platforms) from the possibility of inappropriate interactions is an important reason for monitoring platform usage.
WS meaning in gaming
This ‘WS’ in the game world essentially means ‘Win Streak.’ This term means a consecutive victory in a given game. A win streak is something that many gamers sit up and take note of, and many games have their own in-game community chatting about their win streak. For example: when you play games with your friend, you might say, “We’re on a 5-game WS!” (Meaning: We’re on a five-game win streak.)
This is one of the cutest uses of ‘WS,’ and you can see it all the time in gaming environments. If your child is a gamer, they may be using “WS” after a win. But it’s always worth encouraging good sportsmanship and good competition.
WS meaning in school
In a school, “WS” could be something like ‘Whole School’ for an announcement or event for example. For example, schools could use this shorthand to discuss assemblies or activities that require all the students.
you might say, “There’s a WS assembly today.” (Meaning: Lots going on at school and today there’s a whole school assembly.)
This is a completely innocent context used for practical communication. But as a parent, you don’t have to worry about this particular application of “WS”, just another great illustration of how meaning can shift depending on the situation.
WS meaning in a relationship
When we use “WS,” we mean affectionate marks like “With Sweetie” or “With Spouse” in romantic relationships. Sometimes it’s used between partners to imply they are together, or their significant other.
For example, you might say to someone you love, “Having dinner WS tonight.” (Meaning: So I get to have dinner with sweetie tonight.)
This is a harmless usage that will occur quite frequently in relationships. But, being any type of shorthand in digital conversations, it’s best to advocate for decent and thoughtful communication. This is true between partners, especially to preserve a romantic relationship.
What does ws mean in slang?
“WS” takes on various slang meanings depending on the context, and these can range from harmless to concerning. Below are some of the most common interpretations of “WS” in slang, complete with examples:
With (Going out with friends).
- Example: “I’m heading to the party WS my friends.”
- (Meaning: I’m going to the party with my friends.)
“White Sub,” refers to a white submissive guy.
- Example: “He’s into WS.”
- (Meaning: He’s interested in being a white submissive in a relationship.)
- This use is explicit and not appropriate for children or young teens.
“Weed Smoking.”
- Example: “Down for WS later?”
- (Meaning: Are you down for weed smoking later?)
- This usage can be alarming as it indicates involvement in drug use.
“Water Sports,” sexual contact involving urine.
- Example: “Looking for WS.”
- (Meaning: Looking for someone into water sports.)
- As mentioned earlier, this is explicit and inappropriate for young users.
Woke Stuff: This refers to someone who is socially aware or politically active, often used critically in some circles.
- Example: “She’s always talking about WS and controversies.”
- (Meaning: She’s always discussing woke or politically aware topics.)
White Supremacist: This is a dangerous and disturbing usage of “WS” in conversations involving hate speech or racism.
- Example: “He’s into WS groups.”
- (Meaning: He’s involved with white supremacist groups.)
Wrist Slit: This refers to self-harm and is often part of discussions around mental health or emotional distress.
- Example: “They talked about WS in their messages.”
- (Meaning: They talked about wrist slitting.)
- This is deeply concerning and indicates a need for immediate parental intervention.
Whole Squad: Refers to a group of friends or a group activity.
- Example: “We’re heading out WS.”
- (Meaning: We’re going out with the whole squad.)
Wild Style: This term comes from hip-hop culture and refers to a creative, freeform style of art or dance.
- Example: “That graffiti is straight WS.”
- (Meaning: That graffiti is pure wild style.)
As you can see, “WS” can have a wide range of meanings, some of which are completely harmless, while others may require concern and action. Context is key, and staying engaged with your child’s digital life will help you better navigate these conversations.
Should teens use slang like WS?
Slang is a fun way of having fast-paced communication or a way of living with people to fit in and express yourself. Now is there a need for using terms like ‘WS’? Let’s break down the pros and cons:
Pros:
- Fitting in socially: Using slang helps teens relate to other teens and be part of a group.
Fast communication: Texting and chatting is quicker when it uses abbreviations like ‘WS’ because most of the places are fast digital conversations.
Creative expression: One of the many ways that slang gives teens a way to express themselves. They explore new ways to create their own words or codes.
Cons:
Misunderstandings: Some people may not know what a certain slang term means, so you can end up in confusion or misunderstanding.
Inappropriate use: We’ve already seen some meanings of “WS” that can be explicit and even harmful if used in the wrong place. - Peer pressure: It may put some pressure on teens to use slang. This is true as it fits the crowd and they do not know what the word means.
As a parent, teach your child when and where it’s okay to use slang, and when it’s not. Like saying ‘WS’ for ‘Water Sports’ for example. Because really, you don’t wanna be taken to ‘those conversations.’
How to develop your kid’s language use?
It is a challenge for your child to talk about a healthy and respectful vocabulary on the web. Here are some strategies to guide them:
1. Encourage open communication: Find out what language your child is speaking. If we know why they use specific words, they can lead to valuable conversations.
2. Teach respect: When you are teaching your child about language, help her make the connection between what words do and how they affect other people.
3. Monitor social media usage: By watching what platform your child is using and what language they are speaking, you can always know what the latest slang is and let them use it appropriately.
4. Set clear boundaries: Slang has its place, and kids must know when it’s not okay, like around adults or in formal communication.
5. Use tools like FlashGet Kids: These parental control solutions help your child with limited social media exposure. Moreover, they protect your kid by avoiding inappropriate content or conversations in the digital world through different restrictive and monitoring features.
- FlashGet Kids is a sophisticated software, which allows you to watch your children’s online activity and restrict time, and also to block unwanted content. It can also help make sure that your child’s online experience is not only safe but healthy as well.
Conclusion
Knowing what “WS” means on other platforms and in other contexts is important today in any parent’s digital existence. From harmless to concerning, some uses of “WS” are little issue, and some are concerning for many reasons (especially in slang and mature content). If you stay up to date, talk with your child, and use tools such as FlashGet Kids, they can continue to have fun and safe, appropriate, and respectful online communication.
If you are one of the parents who like to watch every move of your child on the Internet, try FlashGet Kids to monitor what your kid surfes and how he behaves online.
