Glossary on the Internet and social media
Digital tools and the internet are part of modern life. Every day, they evolve and create new concepts and vocabulary for a new era. If words like «troll», «MMORPG» or «Neknomination» mean nothing to you, don't panic, we'll help you understand them better.
Here is a glossary of web vocabulary, because mastering digital security tools means knowing the language.
away from keyboard
Means Away From Keyboard («away from the keyboard»).
This is an expression used on the Internet or in the online games to indicate that a person is temporarily absent or inactive.AI;DR
Artificial Intelligence ; Didn't Read Internet term used to describe posts generated by artificial intelligence that are too long, confusing or uninteresting to read.
The name refers to TL;DR (too long; didn't read), used to indicate that a text is too long or difficult to understand.Algorithm
An algorithm is a set of instructions or rules that a computer follows to perform a task or make decisions.
On the Internet, algorithms are used to sort, classify and recommend content, such as videos on TikTok, posts on Instagram or suggestions on YouTube.
They determine what is seen first, what becomes popular, and what content or contacts are highlighted, without the user choosing everything themselves.
ASAP
As soon as possible or the equivalent French phrase «dès que possible»
ASL
Age, Sex, Location (age, gender, location).
This is an expression used in chat rooms and online messaging systems to quickly request information about a person. French equivalent: ASV (âge, sexe, ville).Astroturfing
Artificial creation of support or an online campaign, to give the impression that an opinion or movement is popular when it is in fact organised or manipulated.
It is often found on social networks, forums or in comments to influence public opinion.Azar
Application of random video chat which lets you video-conference with strangers from all over the world.
Bashing
Bashing (a word that refers to hitting violently or inflicting a beating) is a neologism of English origin used to describe the «game» or form of venting that consists of collectively denigrating a person or subject. When bashing takes place in the public arena, it can sometimes resemble a «media lynching». The development of the internet and social media has provided bashing with a new arena, allowing many more people to participate anonymously in this collective activity.
Battle
Battle: Battle in English.
This term refers to a game mode in which the player faces an opponent in an arena.
The objective is to earn as many points as possible by striking or killing your opponent.BeReal
Social application which encourages users to share a spontaneous photo every day, without filters or retouching, to show what they are really doing at any given moment.
The principle is to favour authenticity over prepared or staged content.Beat them all
Literally: Beat them all.
This type of video game pits one or two players against a large number of enemies. The aim is to defeat as many enemies as possible in record time in order to earn the most points. It requires lightning-fast reflexes, with the difficulty level increasing as the game progresses.
It differs from traditional fighting games, which imply a «duel», whereas «Beat Them All» involves a multitude of opponents.Beta
We refer to a game as being in beta or undergoing beta testing when it is about to be released and we want to test it.
Blogger
Name for a person who maintains a blog.
Bluesky
Social network which allows users to publish and share content without being dependent on a single company.
It focuses on freedom of expression, transparent moderation and user control of data.Blue whale challenge
The Blue Challenge or the blue whale challenge, is an ancient challenge originating in Russia and mostly played out on Facebook. It takes place under the guidance of a tutor who proposes a challenge to the participant each day, the last of which is to kill oneself. Legend has it that if the participant abandons the challenge along the way, the tutor will come in person to end the participant's life.
The creator of this challenge was arrested in 2016.Body count
An informal term often used by young people to describe the number of people with whom someone has had sexual relations.
Boss lady
The term was popularised by the singer Theodora. A Boss Lady is a woman who sticks to her ideals. She is a true symbol of success, achievement and professional and personal success.
Bot
A bot is a computer programme that performs tasks automatically, often on the Internet.
For example, it can send messages, like publications or answer questions, sometimes in the place of a real person.Buddha Blue
A synthetic drug derived from cannabinoids, sometimes taken by teenagers via electronic cigarettes. Highly potent and uncontrolled, it can cause serious health effects, ranging from intoxication to hospitalisation. Also known as PTC or “Pète ton crâne”, this substance is illegal and particularly dangerous, even in small doses.
Filter bubble
A filter bubble is formed when an algorithm shows a user only the content they are most likely to like or approve, based on their previous interactions.
As a result, we often see the same opinions and information, which can limit the diversity of points of view.BRB
Be right back (FR: je reviens tout de suite), close to AFK. Expression used in chats and online games to indicate that you are going to be away for a while.
Bullying
English term for harassment, Repeated behaviour designed to intimidate, humiliate or harm someone, whether physically, verbally or psychologically.
Online, we are talking more specifically about cyberbullying.
Call out
Expression used on social networks to describe the act of publicly denouncing behaviour, comments or a person deemed to be problematic.
Example: «She was called out for her racist comments on Instagram.Cancel
Boycott campaign against a person
Catfishing
Identity theft another person online.
Webcam blackmail
Chat
Written conversation in real time between two or more people on the Internet, via applications, social networks or messaging platforms.
Chatbot
A chatbot is a computer programme designed to simulate a conversation with a human, often via a website, application or messaging service.
It can answer questions, provide information or help with tasks automatically.Cat Gpt
Artificial intelligence developed by OpenAI, which can understand and generate text in natural language, making it possible to answer questions, write content or hold a conversation with a user.
Clean Girl
Trend popularised on social networks, which promotes a so-called «natural» and minimalist appearance: light make-up, pulled-back hair, luminous skin and a refined style of dress. It can, however, lead to certain excesses, by spreading unrealistic beauty standards, a strong pressure to be perfect and a staging of an «ideal» life that is often highly filtered.
Cloud
Storage and access to data or services on remote servers via the Internet, rather than on a local computer or device.
Terms and conditions of use
Contract that you sign with the website you register on (all websites have terms of use). These terms detail what you are and are not allowed to do on the website, but also explain what personal information the website collects from its users and what it does with it.
Parental control
Parental control or filtering is a way of system type which allows parents to automatically restrict their children's access to a medium (Internet, television, games console) by limiting it to certain categories of content, in order to protect them in particular against the risks of paedophilia and content considered shocking for their age (pornography, violence).
Cookie
Small recorded files by the sites visited on the user's computer. They have a technical advantage (for staying connected even when the page is closed, for faster loading of pages, etc.) but they also have a commercial advantage for sites that will record what is done on their sites and then distribute targeted advertising in relation to what has been done previously.
Crush
Someone you have a love or sexual crush on
Cyberbullying
See also. cyberbullying
Cybercrime
This refers to all crimes and offences committed using new technologies (web scam, online harassment, etc.). In France, the police authorities grouped together in the OCLCTIC (Central Office for the Fight against Crime linked to Information and Communication Technologies) handle reports of these crimes and offences: http://www.internet-signalement.gouv.fr
Cyberbullying
The cyberbullying is a form of digital violence characterised by harassment, which can take place through various digital channels. (social networks, websites, instant messaging).
Dailymotion
Online video-sharing platform that allows users to watch, publish and share a variety of content, including films, music videos, news reports and creative videos.
Dark romance
A genre of romantic fiction, very popular on social networks and reading platforms, which depicts intense, dark and sometimes toxic love relationships (jealousy, domination, psychological violence). While these stories are sometimes seductive because of their passionate aspect, they are criticised because they can romanticise problematic or abusive behaviour in relationships.
Darkweb
The Darkweb refers to a part of the Internet that is not accessible via traditional search engines and requires specific software to access it.
It contains legal content such as private forums, but also illegal activities, making it a very unregulated space.Deepfake
Image, video or audio recording faked using the’artificial intelligence to make people believe that someone has said or done something they have never done.
Deepnude
Images created using the’artificial intelligence to virtually remove a person's clothes from a photo without their consent.
DickPick
An intimate photo of the penis sent by a person, often unsolicited. This is sexually explicit content, which can be considered as pornography. harassment when sent without consent.
Digital Services Act (DSA)
European regulations to come into force in 2022 which governs digital services (social networks, online platforms, marketplaces, search engines, etc.).
Its aim is to strengthen the responsibility of platforms for :- combat illegal or dangerous content,
- protect users' rights,
- improve the transparency of online algorithms and advertising.
Discord
Communication software dedicated to communities (video game, manga, film, series communities, etc.).
DM
Private message on social networks.
Doro
Term used by teenagers and young adults. It means «to make love, to have sexual relations».
Example: «We doro yesterday».Doxware
Doxware is a type of malware that threatens to publish a person's personal information (photos, messages, data) if they do not pay a ransom.
It's a form of cyber-extortion to intimidate or put pressure on the victim.Doxxing
The disclosure of personal data, known as doxing, is a practice that involves searching for and disclosing information about an individual's identity and private life on the internet with the aim of causing them harm.
Digital Rights Management
Digital Rights Management: Management of digital rights. DRM refers to the protection of digital data and aims to combat piracy.
e-Reputation
Image and reputation of a person, company or organisation on the Internet, based on information, opinions, publications and comments available online.
Digital footprint
The digital footprint corresponds to all the traces a person leaves online, These include publications, comments, photos, searches and interactions on social networks.
It reflects the image and information that is disseminated on the Internet.e-Sport
A competitive video game in which players compete in tournaments or competitions, either online or in person. Some competitions are professional and attract a large audience, either in person or online.
Sexual extortion of a child (Sextortion)
Child sexual extortion, often referred to as sextortion, is a form of online blackmail in which a person threatens to broadcast intimate images of a child or teenager in order to obtain money, other images or sexual acts.
Facebook
Facebook is an online service for social networking, which allows users to share publications, photos, videos and messages, and to interact with friends, family or groups based on shared interests.
Fact-checking
The fact-checking consists of checking the veracity of information to distinguish the true from the false.
Fake
Information, image or video false or misleading, created to mislead, manipulate or provoke a reaction on the Internet.
Fake news
Information false or manipulated circulating online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions, literally «questions frequently asked» or FAQs.
Feed
News feed for a platform or a website social network, This is where the publications, videos and content shared by the people or accounts you follow appear.
It is often organised by algorithms that decide what the user sees first.Flood
Posting numerous identical or useless messages or content in a short space of time on a forum, chat or social network, to disturb or saturate the conversation.
Follower
Literally translated as «follower», this is a person who follows the publications of another person on social networks.
FOMO
«Fear of Missing Out», fear of missing out.
FYI
«For your information »In French: pour ta gouverne ou à titre d'information.
FYP
The « For You Page », or FYP, is the feed for personalised recommendations on TikTok.
Gemini
Gemini is a generative artificial intelligence from Google capable of generating text, images or answers to questions.
Geolocation
Ghoster
GG
GG stands for «good game». It's an expression used in video games to congratulate opponents or team-mates at the end of a game.
GIF
Digital image format for creating animated images.
Glow up
Positive transformation, often physical or aesthetic, but also personal or social. The term is mainly used on social networks to show the evolution or improvement of a person over time.
Google+
Google+ is a social networking service developed by Google.
Green flag
Expression used on social networks to describe positive behaviour or an encouraging sign in a particular relationship, situation or context.
Example: «She always respects my choices, she's a real green flag!».Goumin
Ivorian slang term used to describe the suffering of love, often linked to a break-up or unrequited love. On social networks, it is used in a humorous or dramatic way to talk about heartbreak, disappointment or complicated relationships.
Example: «I've been in the middle of a goumin since we broke up.»Grooming
Manipulation of a child or adolescent online by a deviant adult in order to obtain sexual relations, intimate images or other sexual behaviour.
GRWM
Acronym for Getting Ready With Me. Also known as morning routine or night routine. The YouTuber allows you to follow them step by step through their morning routine, from breakfast to applying make-up and choosing their outfit.
Hacker
Name given to users who visit and hack other users' databases or accounts.
Happy Slapping
The happy slapping Video lynching or video assault is the practice of filming the physical assault of a person using a mobile phone. The term applies to acts of varying intensity, from simple harassment to the most serious forms of violence, including sexual violence. The English term, which literally means «to slap happily», is a play on words on the expression «slap-happy», which denotes a cheerful and good-natured attitude.
Bullying
The harassment is repeated violence (verbal, physical, social or psychological) that takes place over time. It involves a relationship of domination between one or more people and the victim.
Harassment is often based on the rejection of difference: appearance, gender, sexual orientation, origin, disability or interests.
Such violence can have serious and lasting consequences for the victim, including stress, anxiety, isolation, loss of confidence, sleep disorders and reduced performance in everyday life.Hashtag
Word or expression preceded by the # symbol, used on social media to classify, search and group content around the same theme or subject.
Haul
It is the act of showing off one's latest purchases in videos.
IA companion
Conversational assistant based on’artificial intelligence, designed to exchange ideas, chat or keep users company.
It can simulate a social relationship by replying to messages, giving advice or offering personalised interactions.Generative AI
Artificial intelligence capable of creating new content, such as text, images, music, audio or video, from instructions given by a user.
IMM
Means «In My Mailbox» in English. Presentation of the latest letters received on video.
Influencer
A person who shares content online and has the ability to’influence the opinion or behaviour of its audience.
Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing application and service available on mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
IRL
«In Real Life» (in real life) as opposed to online.
KakaoTalk
Kakao Talk is a smartphone (and computer) application that allows users to send text messages and make calls for free.
Kayfabe
Kayfabe is a practice derived from wrestling that involves presenting staged situations as if they were real.
On the Internet, the term is sometimes used to describe a staged or fictional story presented as true to entertain the public.Kick
Live streaming platform where you can watch or broadcast videos. It is known for its more permissive moderation, which has sometimes allowed the broadcast of sensitive or shocking content.
Kicker
To kick someone out is to exclude them from a discussion.
Leak
Unauthorised distribution private or confidential content such as images, videos, documents or personal information on the Internet.
Like
Liking content (publication, photo, video or comment) on the social media to show approval or interest. Warning: liking or sharing prohibited content can make you an accomplice of the person who published it.
LinkedIn
LinkedIn is a professional social network. Its aim is to help you build your professional network and facilitate contacts between members of this network.
Live
Live video broadcasting, where viewers can watch and sometimes interact in real time with the person filming.
Loot box
Virtual safe in a video game containing random rewards, such as items, skins or bonuses.
Players don't know in advance what they're going to get, which can encourage them to buy several.Smart glasses
Glasses equipped with digital technologies, such as a screen, camera or sensors, to display information, take photos, film or interact with augmented reality applications.
Main character
A person who sees themselves as the «main character» in their own life or who adopts this point of view on social networks, promoting themselves as if everything revolved around them.
Market place
Online platform where buyers and sellers meet to buy and sell products or services.
It facilitates transactions by offering secure payment, order management and sometimes delivery.Meet-up
Meet-ups organised between YouTubers and their subscribers.
Meme
Image, video or text shared on the Internet, often humorous, which spreads rapidly and can be modified or adapted by users.
Miracle
A personal development trend popularised on social networks, which involves structuring your mornings around positive routines: meditation, reading, exercise, visualisation and writing. This practice can boost motivation and well-being, but spreading it online can also generate unrealistic comparisons, pressure to perform or guilt if the routine is not followed.
massively multiplayer online role-playing game
MMORPGs («Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games») are online role-playing games that allow players to play in a variety of ways. video games persistent universe games, in which you play as a character and help it evolve. What makes these games so special is that players are not alone: they are multiplayer games, meaning that they can be played simultaneously by people from all over the world. Popular MMORPGs include World of Warcraft, Elder Scroll Online and France's Dofus.
MOBA
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. These games are currently very popular among young people, in which two groups of characters battle each other to destroy objectives. Be warned, these games are highly addictive.
Bullying
Bullying exercised by a group against an individual, usually at work or in a social group.
It can be psychological, social or professional, and takes the form of isolation, intimidation or repeated pressure on the victim.Mood
State of mind or feeling of the moment.
MP
Private message.
MYM
Online platform where creators can share exclusive content with their paying subscribers, often photos or videos, in return for a monthly subscription.
Necknomination
The “Necknomination” was a viral challenge on social networks around 2013-2014, consisting of drinking alcohol in a single sip and filming yourself to nominate someone else to do the same.
Today, this phenomenon is no longer really active on mainstream social networks, as it was dangerous and caused several serious accidents, and most platforms and prevention campaigns have reduced its circulation.
Newtro
Newtro is a mix of “new” and “retro”.
It's a trend where Gen Z want to put the real back into their digital lives.
Examples: antique objects that have gone viral on TikTok, pre-internet aesthetics such as Stranger Things or Lux de Rosalía.
Digital technology is being used to bring the real world to life, making the physical and digital experience closely intertwined.NPC (Non Player Character)
In video games, this is a computer-controlled character who interacts with the player but is not directed by a real person.
Nude
Intimate photo of a person, showing them in a nude or naked way.
OFMIN
The Minors' Office is an investigative department responsible for initiating legal proceedings and combating the most serious offences committed against minors, in particular :
- online sexual exploitation (production, possession and distribution of paedophile content, grooming for sexual purposes, sextortion, corruption of minors, livestreaming); ;
- rape and sexual assault, including incest, or committed in an institutional setting (schools, after-school activities, associations or religious groups); serious physical or psychological violence (infanticide, shaking babies, ill-treatment); ;
- bullying at school, including online bullying.
OnlyFans
OnlyFans is a content sharing platform (photos, videos, etc.). It allows professional and amateur content creators to get paid by their audience through a subscription system or based on the number of views. This site mainly hosts erotic and even pornographic content, as well as fitness content, musicians, and other creators who regularly publish online.
Bread
Slang expression used by teenagers and young adults to describe an attractive person.
Example: «It's a loaf of bread».Crime
Refers to all criminal acts committed against children, in particular sexual abuse, exploitation or dissemination of sexual images depicting them. It includes all forms of sexual offences against minors, en line as offline.
Paedophilia
Sexual attraction by an adult to prepubescent children (generally before puberty).
Peer-to-peer
A network system that allows computers to exchange files without going through a server. Alongside pirated films and free music, viruses and sexual content are also distributed.
PHAROS
Pharos (Plateforme d'Harmonisation, d'Analyse, de Recoupement et d'Orientation des Signalements) is an official French system for reporting illegal or dangerous content or behaviour online (such as hate, sexual exploitation, incitement to violence or disinformation).
Alerts made on Pharos are forwarded to the relevant authorities for action.Phishing
Phishing is a technique used to steal personal information (such as passwords, credit card numbers, etc.) via fraudulent e-mails, messages or calls.
Pinterest
Rsocial network based on sharing and discovering images and ideas. Users can save, organise and explore “pins” around themes such as decorating, fashion, cooking or DIY.
NPC
Acronym for Non-Player Character, used in video games to designate a character controlled by the game and not by a player, often to give quests, sell items or enrich the game universe.
Example: «The NPC in the village gives you the next mission».».POV
«Point of view» (point of view). On social networks, this is a video format where the viewer sees the scene as if they were directly in the story, often to tell a situation or an anecdote.
Prompt
A prompt is an instruction or question given to artificial intelligence to generate content, such as text, images or music.
PTC
Also known as Buddha Blue, it is a synthetic drug derived from cannabinoids, sometimes taken by teenagers via electronic cigarettes. Highly potent and uncontrolled, it can cause serious health effects, ranging from intoxication to hospitalisation. This substance is illegal and particularly dangerous, even in small doses.
minutes
Term for private messages. e.g. «come and talk PV».
QR Code
C’is a type of two-dimensional barcode consisting of black square modules arranged in a square on a white background. These dots define the information contained in the code. This machine-readable design can be viewed on the screen of a mobile device or printed on paper.
Rabbit hole
A series of online content or links that take the user on a long and sometimes obsessive exploration, like a spiral where you click from subject to subject without end.
The term comes from Alice in Wonderland, Alice falls down the rabbit hole and discovers an unknown world.Digital Raid
Coordinated online attack against an account, a person or a group, often on social networks or in games, aimed at massively publishing negative messages, comments or content in order to harass.
Ratio
On the social media, A ratio occurs when a reply or comment receives more likes or interactions than the original post. This is often seen as a sign that the opinion of the author of the post is being challenged or criticised.
Virtual Reality
The generic term virtual reality (VR) refers to content that can be viewed on headsets or smartphones. This may be a film recorded with a 360° camera or an interactive 3D simulation, such as a video game.
Red flag
Expression used on social networks and in everyday language to designate a warning signal or worrying behaviour in a particular relationship, situation or context.
Example: «He lies all the time... big red flag!».Reddit
Reddit is a community platform where users can publish, comment and vote on content (text, images, videos) in sub-forums called “subreddits”, each dedicated to a specific theme or area of interest.
Rebalancing your diet
A trend on social networks where users share tips, recipes and routines for eating healthier. However, most of the people sharing this type of content are not qualified nutritionists.
While it can encourage good habits, it can also generate unrealistic comparisons or risky behaviour, sometimes leading to eating disorders in young people or the development of toxic tendencies such as #Skinnytok.Parasocial relationships
A one-way relationship that a person develops with a celebrity, influencer or media figure, where they feel close to or involved with them, even if the other party does not know them personally.
These relationships are common on social networks, YouTube and Twitch.Retweet
The Retweeter (abbreviated RT) function on X (formerly Twitter) lets you share a Tweet with all your followers.
You can retweet your own Tweets or those of other users, to spread content more widely or react to it.Revenge pornography
The Revenge pornography consists of publishing compromising photos or videos of one's ex-partner on the internet, often on dedicated websites, as revenge after a break-up.
Ribcage Bragging
Trend appeared in 2017 on Instagram consisting of showing its very visible rib cage in photos, often associated with unhealthy standards of thinness.
Fashion was mainly covered by the media at the time, but is no longer really active today; it is often criticised for its impact on body image.Roblox
Roblox is a popular online gaming platform for children and teenagers, where you can play games created by other users or create your own.
However, moderation and control tools are not always sufficient, which has led to some predators and inappropriate content to contact minors, prompting alerts from the authorities and reports of abuse.RootKit
The term rootkit refers to a set of tools used by hackers to infiltrate your computer and take control of it, while remaining as discreet as possible.
6/7 (Six/Seven)
A viral trend on TikTok in 2025, in which young people repeat “six seven” rhythmically, has become a humorous meme with no precise meaning. The phenomenon stems from a song Doot Doot (6 7) by rapper Skrilla.
Scroller
Scrolling means scrolling through content on a screen, such as a news feed, web page or application, to see new publications, images or videos.
Selfie
(Photography) A self-portrait taken using a camera or smartphone, usually for posting on social media.
Sexting
Sending or sharing messages, photos or videos of a sexual nature via a telephone, an application or the Internet.
It can be consensual between adults, but becomes dangerous and illegal when it involves minors.Sextortion (sexual extortion of children)
Child sexual extortion, often referred to as sextortion, is a form of online blackmail in which a person threatens to broadcast intimate images of a child or teenager in order to obtain money, other images or sexual acts.
Sharenting
The sharenting refers to parents regularly sharing photos, videos or information about their children online.
Shitpost
Internet publication that is intentionally absurd, provocative or of low quality, often created to make people laugh, shock or provoke reactions.
Its aim is not to inform or convince, but to entertain or cause chaos on social networks.Shitstorm
Massive wave of criticism, This is the term used to describe negative comments or indignation on social networks, often directed against a person, a company or a piece of content.
It's a fast, viral way of mobilising public opinion online.Shortdrama
Short fiction designed to be watched on smartphones, often in the form of mini-series with very short episodes (a few seconds to a few minutes), a quick plot and lots of emotion or twists. This format, which originated in China under the name duanju, has gained popularity on social networks and short video platforms.
Shorts
Short videos published on YouTube (maximum 60 seconds), often vertical, designed to be quickly watched and shared.
They resemble the short formats popular on TikTok or Instagram Reels.Trusted signalman
This status confers a stronger role in having harmful content and accounts removed from the main digital players (social networks, platforms, messaging systems, online games, pornographic sites, etc.).
Confidence signallers are designated by the’Arcom (Autorité de régulation de la communication audiovisuelle et numérique) to act as reliable intermediaries in the fight against harmful content.Report
This involves alerting an authority, platform or specialist service to problematic content or behaviour, such as harassment, sexual abuse or inappropriate content, so that action can be taken. All social networks have a reporting button to facilitate this process.
Skin
Dressing or visual appearance for a character, object or weapon in a game. video game. It changes the appearance without altering the character's or object's abilities or performance.
Slay
Expression used on social networks to congratulate or compliment someone, often for their appearance, style or remarkable actions.
It can be translated as «you manage» or «you rock».Slop
Automatically generated or poor quality content, often produced by artificial intelligence, which is confusing or not very interesting to read.
The term is used in particular in AI;DR, to denote publications generated by AI that are deemed mediocre or not very useful.Sloppers
People who produce or publish AI-generated content deemed to be of poor quality or confusing (known as slop).
The term is used on the Internet to designate the creators of unclear or uninteresting publications, often in a humorous or critical way.Slut Shaming
The Slut-shaming is a concept originally proposed by Canadian and American feminists. The term, which can be translated into French as «intimidation (or humiliation) of sluts» or «slut-shaming», covers a range of individual or collective attitudes that are aggressive towards women whose sexual behaviour is deemed to be «out of the ordinary». Slut-shaming, understood as such, consists of making a woman feel guilty or inferior if her attitude or physical appearance is deemed provocative or too overtly sexual, if she is seeking an abortion, or even if she has been raped.
Snapchat
Free application a messaging and photo and video sharing service. Originally, each piece of content sent (snap) was only visible to the recipient for between 1 and 10 seconds, but it is now possible to send snaps for an unlimited length of time.
All snaps expire after being viewed, but can be saved via a screenshot. The app also offers stories, filters and special effects to personalise the content shared.Story
Ephemeral content published on a social network, It can be used to share a moment or an experience in real time with subscribers. It allows you to share a moment or an experience in real time with your followers.
Storytime
Video in which a person tells a story or a personal experience, often in a humorous or captivating way, to share an experience with the audience.
Streamer / streaming
Watch or stream videos live on the Internet.
Swatting
Dangerous practice which consists of sending the police to someone's home without their knowledge, by reporting false emergencies (such as a hostage situation), often to intimidate or harass the victim.
This is illegal and extremely risky, as it can put people's lives in danger.Swipe
Action of scanning the right, left or bottom of the screen on certain mobile applications.
Tag
TeamSpeak
Colloquially known as TS, TeamSpeak is a real-time voice communication application, mainly used by players to talk to each other during games.
It allows you to create private or public channels and manage groups to facilitate coordination and discussion.Telegram
Instant messaging application that lets you send messages, photos, videos and files.
It stands out for its encryption, secret discussions and groups that can accommodate a large number of members, offering greater confidentiality and functionality than some other messaging services.Thigh Gap
A trend that emerged on social networks in the early 2010s, which promotes a visible gap between the thighs when the feet are together, presented as an ideal of slimness. It was widely criticised for being associated with unrealistic body standards and eating disorders. The trend has fallen sharply but still occasionally circulates online.
Threads
Threads is a social network launched in 2023 by Meta, linked to Instagram.
It allows you to publish and share short messages, photos or links, and interact with other users in the same way as X (Twitter).
Threads accounts are generally connected to the user's Instagram account.TikTok
Social application which lets you create, share and watch short videos, often musical, humorous or creative.
Trend
Popular trend which is spreading rapidly on the Internet and social networks.
It can take the form of a challenge, a meme, a video format, a piece of music or a style, repeated by many users over a given period.Troll / troller
Provoking or annoying someone online for fun.
Twitch
Live streaming platform, mainly used for video games, where users can watch or broadcast games in real time.
It also lets you interact with viewers via chat and follow a variety of content creators.
Vaguepost
Publication on social networks that is deliberately vague or ambiguous, appearing to target a person or situation without naming them directly.
It is often used to express frustration or to criticise someone indirectly.Viber (Rakuten viber)
Free instant messaging and audio/video calling application. It lets you send messages, photos, videos and files, and communicate with individual contacts or groups, anywhere in the world.
Video lynching
The act of filming or photographing the physical assault of a person and distributing the images via social networks (see Happy slapping).
Viral
Refers to the very rapid dissemination of content on the Internet, when it is massively shared, commented on or taken up by a large number of users on social networks.
Vlog
A vlog (contraction of video blog) is video content in which a person shares their daily life, an activity or an experience.
Vlogs are often published on platforms such as YouTube or social networks.Voice cloning
Artificial intelligence technology capable of reproducing or imitating a person's voice from a recording, in order to generate new audio messages that appear to be spoken by that person.
VPN
Tool that secures the Internet connection by encrypting data and masking the user's IP address.
It is used to protect online privacy or access certain content from different countries.
Watch party
Simultaneous viewing of videos or films online, where several people can watch together and comment in real time, even from a distance.
It is offered by certain streaming platforms or social networks to bring together friends and communities around shared content.Webcam hacking
Webcam hacking or webcam spying. A hacker breaks into a computer to install a RAT (Remote Access Tool), which allows them to control the computer remotely. Once this has been done, they can activate the webcam remotely without the victim noticing.
WeChat
WeChat is a mobile instant messaging application that lets you exchange texts, photos, sounds and videos, as well as geolocate your virtual «friends». The application is very popular in China, where it originated.
WhatsApp
Mobile phone social network for instant messaging.
X (ex-Twitter)
Social networking platform for publishing and sharing short messages, images and videos.
It is used for keeping up to date, commenting on the news, interacting with other users and following personalities and organisations.
YouTube
Online video-sharing platform that allows users to watch, publish and comment on content on a wide range of subjects, including entertainment, news, education and video games.
Yubo
Yubo is a social networking and dating application aimed primarily at teenagers and young adults.
It's a great way to meet new people, chat live and take part in live events, but you need to be careful because some profiles can be malicious or inappropriate.
