Social media exposes kids to internet slang as they turn to it for entertainment and socializing. So in this age of ever-changing social media trends and slang, it’s hard to catch up with your kid’s life.

Take a look at this Sneaky Links trend. It’s one of the craziest trends in Tiktok, which has been gaining popularity recently among users. For those who don’t know what it is, let me fill you in.

Surfacely, the sneaky link is one of the slang expressions kids use in social media applications, mainly in TikTok. But what exactly does Sneaky Links mean in detail? What they are? Is it safe for kids to join the trends? If not, then how to protect teens from Sneaky Links? 0

Here in this article, we will discuss all those questions and even more. So, why delay let’s start from the base.

What Are Sneaky Links?

Even if you use social media, it may be difficult for you to keep up with every slang term that kids use on those platforms. So, you may be unaware of what exactly Sneaky Links means. 

But don’t worry; you don’t have to scratch your heads to crack the term sneaky link now on. 

Sneaky Links is a teen slang term used in the video-based social media platform that refers to a person you have an intimate relationship with. 

Generally, this phrase denotes your secret affair. And since no one knows about it, the sneaky link can be a non-sexual or sexual experience or relationship with someone.

This popular slang is used by the person who wants to hook up and meet their partners secretly. Additionally, people who want to cover their relationship either because they feel ashamed or are just uncomfortable publicizing it join this trend. As a result, the use of sneaky links has a wide. 

It is somehow similar to another popular teen slang term, Friends With Benefits (FWB). In the dating context, both mean having casual sex without any big commitments. It’s a casual fling that is used mostly by young adults and teens. 

Apps where Sneaky Links are used

It is commonly used in every video-based platform, such as Tinder, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, and so on. But TikTok is the place that used sneaky links at first and rose its popularity.  

Due to Hollywood’s “Sneaky Link 2.0” titled song, Sneaky Link trends gained popularity on TikTok in May 2021. 

The very first verse of the song is, “Boy, you just my sneaky link, so don’t keep texting me.” In the song, the term Sneaky link is mentioned repeatedly. Currently, the #sneakylink tag has gone viral on Tik Tok and is being used in many videos.

Since you know what sneaky links mean, now it’s time to discuss the risk associated with it.

Risks Associated with Sneaky Links

Secretly meeting with a partner is what Sneaky Link simply means. And meeting someone secretly, in general, is dangerous for your teens.

Since a Sneaky link means having a secret relationship or a clandestine meeting with a partner, everything went secret in that trend. And that secrecy itself is a risk associated with it.

Not everyone is good. Your kids may get in contact with some sex offenders and become victims of bullying (either on appearance, behavior, race, social status, or sexual identity.

Here are some of the risks associated with sneaky links (Secret Hookups). 

• Safety Concerns

Your children may meet with someone they don’t know well, which can pose safety risks. It’s because not all the people that they meet online are good. Some might create fake accounts and trap your kids.

And some people may click the pictures when they meet with your kids and can blackmail them using such pictures in the future.

They may share those intimate pictures online without your consent, damaging your child’s privacy.

• Emotional Risks

Your teen may engage in Sneaky links for hookups. But due to their sensitive nature, they may get attached to their sneaky partner so easily. However, the person might not feel the same way. As a result, your kids may get emotionally damaged. 

Further, in some cases, teens may feel shame or guilt, attachment issues, and so on. 

• Health Risks

Understandably, you see your teens are always small. But they are growing up and want to explore new things, such as intimate relationships.  

And sneaky links trends of TikTok allow them to engage in such activities secretly. However, engaging in sexual activities with someone you don’t know well or without taking proper precautions can lead to sexually transmitted infections or other health risks.

• Legal Risks

Your kids may violate laws related to the age of consent or privacy while secretly meeting with their someone or during hookups. So, sneaky links can potentially lead to legal risks.

• Targeted by Sexual Predators/Online Grooming

Social media is a place where there is no shortage of evil people with evil plans. And when your kids indulge in that Sneaky Link Trend and share it confidently online, sexual offenders and predators may target them.

It is important to consider these risks and take steps to mitigate them, such as meeting in public places, using protection during sexual activities, and being cautious when sharing personal information online. It is also important to communicate clearly and honestly with potential partners and prioritize your safety and well-being.

How to Protect Your Teens from Sneaky Links

Now that you know what the sneaky links trend is and the risk associated with it, I am sure you want to protect your trends from such absurd trends. So, why to waste time? Let’s discuss the ways to protect your kids from sneaky links.

• Educate teens and raise awareness about digital/Social Media Safety

Some teens engage themselves in every trend to gain popularity. But sometimes, they may get bullied or hurt by other users. And in the worst case, they may be targeted by sexual offenders and become the victim of online grooming. So, help your kids understand that engaging in such weird trends is unsafe. 

• Keep updated with recent trends and internet slang words

There can be some hidden hashtags that your children are using in addition to slang words and trendy activities. Parents should know the meaning of hidden hashtags, slang words, emoji meanings, etc. 

You can ask your kids the slang words or trends you are unsure about. In this way, if you find any weird/inappropriate trends that your kids should not join, such as sneaky links, you can stop them.

You can discuss with your kids that engaging in such trends online is inappropriate for teens. Further, when you get familiar with and use internet slang by yourself, you can better understand your kid’s online behavior. 

They may come to you with their question regarding the trends and feel comfortable coming to you. However, don’t overuse it.

• Be available and non-judgmental

Let your children know that you are available to talk to them about sex and relationships and that they can come to you with any questions or concerns. Avoid shaming or judging them for their feelings or experiences.

• Use Parental Control Application

Last but not least, start using parental control apps. There are lots of child-monitoring parental control applications. Select one of the best from them and start monitoring your kid’s online behavior. 

Parents can monitor their teens’ phones remotely via the parental control application, even if they are not with them 24/7. This way, they can track what their teens are doing and ensure online safety. And even that’s without them knowing. 

It will allow you to monitor whether your kid indulges themselves in sneaky links trends or not. You can also limit the screen time of your kid.

• Teach them about healthy relationships

Love is what we need for life. Make sure your kids do not engage in casual flings. Teach your kids to emphasize the importance of mutual respect, trust, and communication in healthy relationships. Encourage them to seek out partners who treat them well and make them feel valued.

• Discuss the risks

 Talk to your children about the risks associated with engaging in sexual activity, such as unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and emotional harm.

Have open and honest conversations with your kids about the potential dangers of having sex, like getting pregnant, contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and feeling emotional pain. Further, when you secretly engage in an intimate relationship with someone, they can easily cheat you.

• Set boundaries

Discuss with your children what types of behaviors are acceptable and unacceptable in relationships. Encourage them to set boundaries and communicate their needs and limits to their partners.

MobileSpy to monitor and protect your teen from Sneaky Links

Use MobileSpy, a reliable monitoring application, to see if your teen is using sneaky links on TikTok or any websites. If yes, take prompt action and stop your children from joining any of the inappropriate trends. 

Besides that, MobileSpy provides a long list of valuable features that help parents to prevent their kids from indulging in danger. It lets you track your kid’s phone’s contact details, multimedia files, social media activities, GPS location tracking, website filtering, etc. 

So, you can reach out to them whenever your children are doing something wrong online or trapping themselves in danger. With the MobileSpy application on the phone, parenting in this digital age is not difficult.

What Parents Can Do When Their Teen Engages on a Sneaky Link

Nothing is more frustrating for parents than discovering their children have taken part in Sneaky Links. However, instead of showing frustration to your kids, you should make some healthy decisions. It will help you to ensure that your child is safe.

 You should talk to your teens about privacy concerns openly and listen to your kid’s point of view.  And if you alone can’t make them understand, you can see professional help. 

 A professional can provide guidance and support to both the parent and the teen and help them develop healthy coping mechanisms.

Conclusion

If you don’t use social media more often, you may be unaware of its trends, abbreviations (for instance, SMH, LOL), meme and emoji culture references, and the slang language that your kids use. 

 In the same way, your kids may put the phrase Sneaky Link on their social media profile, such as TikTok, and you may be unaware of it. But it is essential to have a normal understanding of the trends and slang to monitor your kid’s online activity and communicate with them so that you can take proper action whenever needed.

Educate teens about their safety and keep yourself updated with recent trends, use parental control applications, set boundaries, discuss the risk associated with sneaky links, and communicate openly with your kids. In this way, protect your teens from Sneaky Links.