Updated on 23 July 2026
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.
Digital addiction
Addiction to screens, social networks or video games, characterised by a loss of control over the time spent online. It can lead to sleep and attention problems, social isolation and a drop in performance at school or work.
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.Alpha
In Incel parlance, a man at the top of the social hierarchy who is attractive and often tall.
ANJ
Autorité nationale des jeux, independent administrative authority responsible for regulating sports betting and gambling.
Arcom
Regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, responsible for guaranteeing freedom of communication and compliance with legal and regulatory obligations in the audiovisual and digital sectors.
Online anonymity
The ability to use the Internet without revealing one's real identity. It can protect privacy, but it also facilitates abusive behaviour such as harassment or hate speech.
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.
Bait
Deliberately provocative content published to provoke reactions (anger, controversy, commitment). It is often used to generate comments or create conflict.
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.
Beurtetchat
Audio chat dating application
BIK ( Better Internet for Kids)
European strategy adopted in 2022 to ensure a safe and age-appropriate digital environment for children by combining protection measures, regulatory actions and support systems.
Newbie
Practices imposed on a person (often a newcomer) under the pretext of integration into a group. They can be humiliating, degrading or even physically or psychologically dangerous.
Blackpill
Deterministic idea according to which a man's success with women is solely due to his physical attractiveness and is therefore determined from birth, which explains why some men do not have access to sexual and sentimental relationships.
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.Bluepill
Incels are people who are still unaware that society favours women over men.
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.Blur
Technique of blurring an image or part of an image in order to protect an identity, hide sensitive content or respect privacy.
Body count
An informal term often used by young people to describe the number of people with whom someone has had sexual relations.
Bogs
Mobile application that allows gamers to monetise their video game skills.
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.Bounty.chat
Anonymous chat site
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.
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.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.
Cam clash
Short for «Camera clash», which is a live face-to-face confrontation on camera, often competitive or confrontational, designed to entertain or create buzz.
Cancel
Boycott campaign against a person
Catfishing
Identity theft another person online.
Chad
Incels refer to the typical alpha male, considered to be favoured by society because of his looks.
Blackmail
Pressure exerted on a person to obtain something (money, silence, behaviour) by threatening to reveal information, damage their reputation or harm them.
Character.AI
Artificial intelligence application and website where you can chat with virtual characters.Webcam blackmail
A form of cyber-extortion in which a person threatens to broadcast intimate images or videos of a victim if they do not provide money, new images or other favours.
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.
Chroming Challenge
Also known as Huffing, refers to the inhalation of chemical vapours containing solvents or aerosols. These chemical vapours produce rapid and brief euphoric effects. Repeated use can lead to dependence.
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.
Clickbait
Exaggerated or misleading content (title, image, thumbnail) designed to encourage Internet users to click, often to the detriment of the quality or accuracy of the information.
Cloud
Storage and access to data or services on remote servers via the Internet, rather than on a local computer or device.
Secondary account
This is an alternative account, usually private, used to share content that is more personal, intimate or less filtered than on a main account.
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.
Coercive control
A set of behaviours designed to dominate a person by progressively limiting their freedom of contact, movement and choice. It is often part of a toxic or violent relationship.
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.
CRIAVS
Centre de Ressources pour les Intervenants auprès des Auteurs de Violences Sexuelles. Public service structures under the responsibility of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health and attached to public health establishments.
CRIP
Cellule départementale de recueil des informations préoccupantes. Departmental Council service responsible for collecting, analysing and assessing information of concern concerning minors in danger or at risk of being in danger.
Crush
A person for whom you have a love or sexual crush.
CSAM
Child Sexual Abuse Material, the internationally favoured term for all paedophile content, including that generated by artificial intelligence.
CVLT or 764/The Com movement
A cybercrime network, founded in 2021 on Discord, which targets vulnerable minors for serious forms of online manipulation, coercion and exploitation. Its members use extortion, psychological pressure and coercion to produce paedophile content, self-harm or commit mass murder in order to induce suicide.
Cyberbullying
French translation: cyberharcèlement. See cyberbullying
Cybercrime
This refers to all crimes and offences committed using new technologies (web scam, online harassment, etc.). In France, it is the police authorities grouped together in the OCLCTIC (Office Central de Lutte contre la Criminalité liée aux Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication - Central Office for Combating Crime Linked to Information and Communication Technologies) who deal with reports of these crimes and offences: http://www.internet-signalement.gouv.fr.
Cyberaddiction
A form of addiction linked to excessive use of the Internet, which can have an impact on mental health, social relationships and lifestyle habits.
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.).
You can send text messages, make voice calls (just like a phone call), make video calls and share your screen.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.Right of way
The act of a person (or group) taking a very strong influence over someone, to the point of controlling them partially or completely, often without their realising it.
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.
EVAR / EVARS
EVAR and EVARS for Éducation à la Vie Affective et Relationnelle/Education in Affective, Relational and Sexual Life: official national education programmes designed to inform and train primary and secondary school pupils in concepts relating to education in emotional, relational and sexual life.
Sexual exploitation of minors
New term for under-age prostitution.
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.Filter (social media)
A digital tool that allows users to alter the appearance of a photo or video (effects, retouching, facial alterations), which can influence how people perceive themselves and others.
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.
Furry
A cultural community centred on a particular interest in anthropomorphic animals, that is, animals with human characteristics. The ‘furies’ dress up as their imaginary characters.
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.
Online hate
The dissemination of violent, insulting or discriminatory comments online targeting an individual or a group (on the grounds of origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, etc.).
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.Verbal harassment
The repeated use of hurtful words (insults, taunts, humiliations) intended to belittle or unsettle someone.
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.
Paedophile
A clinical term describing sexual attraction to children. It does not refer to the actual commission of such acts.
Helpline
Helpline and support service, including assistance with the removal of content
Hotline
Technical support helpline for content removal
Public humiliation
The act of belittling or ridiculing someone in front of others (classmates, colleagues, a group), which can lead to feelings of shame and a loss of self-confidence.
Hyperconnectivity
A condition in which a person is constantly connected to digital devices, finds it difficult to disconnect, and which can lead to mental fatigue and addiction.
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.AI Act
The AI Act is the first European legal framework dedicated to artificial intelligence. It was adopted by the European Union in 2024 and aims to ensure that AI systems are developed and used in a way that is safe, transparent and respectful of fundamental rights.
Generative AI
Artificial intelligence capable of creating new content, such as text, images, music, audio or video, from instructions given by a user.
Digital identity
All information (photos, posts, comments, data) that can be used to identify a person on the internet.
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.
Toxic influence
Online content or behaviour that encourages dangerous practices (physical, psychological or social), often shared by influencers or through viral trends.
Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing application and service available on mobile platforms such as iOS, Android, and Windows Phone.
Physical bullying
Threatening gestures, postures or behaviour (staring, imposing physical proximity, aggressive gestures) intended to instil fear without necessarily resulting in violent action.
Incel
Or «involuntary bachelor» refers to a male-centred category. This group consists mainly of men, often virgins, who claim to be unable to have romantic or sexual relationships despite their desire to do so, largely due to their physical appearance. This frustration leads them to harbour resentment towards women.
Fake news
The French term for ‘fake news’. A portmanteau of ‘info’ and ‘intox’. This refers to information that is entirely false or deliberately biased.
IRL
«In Real Life» (in real life) as opposed to online.
JusTalk Kids or JusTalk for Kids
A messaging and video-calling app designed specifically for children. It allows users to make video and voice calls, send messages, photos and stickers, and chat only with «appropriate» contacts (family or friends). However, the features designed to protect young users are being exploited by individuals seeking to make contact with minors.
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.Looksmaxxing
For incels, this involves attempts to improve their physical appearance (through sport, their hairstyle, their clothes, etc.)
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.Misinformation
Misrepresenting actual facts or figures by presenting them in a false or misleading context, with the intention of causing harm
Manipulation
A strategy involving influencing someone indirectly or deceptively in order to gain an advantage or exert control.
Manosphere
A term used to describe anti-feminist, misogynistic and masculinist communities
Masculinism
Masculinism is an anti-feminist ideology which, far from being confined to rhetoric, fuels real hostility towards women
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.
Misinformation
Accidental sharing of inaccurate information, without any intention to mislead or cause harm
Miracle Morning
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.
Automatic moderation
A system that uses algorithms to detect, filter or remove content deemed inappropriate (violence, hate speech, nudity, etc.).
Moltbook
An experimental social network for artificial intelligence. It is a platform where AI agents (bots) can post messages, comment, vote and chat with one another. It is essentially a version of Reddit designed for AI.
MP
Private message.
MGTOW
«Men Going Their Own Way» is a strand of the masculinist movement; its adherents advocate a voluntary withdrawal from romantic and sexual interactions with women.
MRA
«Men’s Rights Activists» is another strand of the manosphere. These are men – often married and fathers – who claim to be campaigning for fathers’ rights, using rhetoric that portrays men as victims. They are particularly active on issues relating to custody and the division of assets following divorce.
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.
NSFW (Not Safe For Work)
NSFW (an acronym for «Not safe for work», «inappropriate for work» in French) is an abbreviation used online to warn users when content is intended for adults only or is likely to be offensive (content of a sexual or violent nature, etc.).
Nude
Intimate photo of a person, showing them in a nude or naked way.
OCRTEH
Central Office for the Suppression of Human Trafficking, an investigative unit of the National Police with nationwide jurisdiction, responsible for combating human trafficking networks and serious forms of exploitation, particularly for sexual purposes.
OFMIN
The Minors’ Unit is a specialised investigative unit of the National Police, with nationwide jurisdiction, established in 2023 and responsible for initiating legal proceedings and combating the most serious offences committed against minors, in particular online sexual exploitation (production, possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material, 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 enables both professional and amateur content creators to earn money from their audience via a subscription model or on a per-view basis. The site mainly hosts erotic or even pornographic content, as well as fitness content, music, and other creators who post regularly online.
Olvid
Olvid is a highly secure instant messaging app (with end-to-end encrypted messages) developed in France. It allows you to send messages, make audio and video calls, and share files. It meets the same security standards as Telegram and WhatsApp.
Over-sharing
A tendency to share too much personal information online, which can expose people to risks (harassment, identity theft, invasion of privacy).
Bread
Slang expression used by teenagers and young adults to describe an attractive person.
Example: «It’s a loaf of bread».Unauthorised sharing of intimate content
The dissemination, transmission or making available of images, videos – including those generated by AI (deepfakes) – recordings or messages of an intimate nature without the consent of the person concerned. This act is a criminal offence under the law.
Passport Bro
A man who travels to other countries, sometimes settling there, and looks to meet a partner whilst he’s there. This is a phenomenon that is gaining momentum via social media (TikTok and X) as it is linked to masculinism and the relative ease in certain countries of finding (often young) female partners for men who are unable to find them in their own country.
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.
Itinerant child sexual abuse
A term used to refer to sex tourism, which is defined as the sexual exploitation of a minor abroad.
Paedophilia
Sexual attraction by an adult to prepubescent children (generally before puberty).
Peer-to-peer / 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 The Platform for the Harmonisation, Analysis, Cross-checking and Referral of Reports (PHAAR) is an official French mechanism for reporting illegal or dangerous content or behaviour (such as hate speech, sexual exploitation, incitement to violence or disinformation) online.
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.
Pocket money dates
A trend mainly seen on social media, particularly TikTok. These are very low-cost dates where people aim to spend as little money as possible. However, this trend has been hijacked to create opportunities to earn pocket money, and as such it represents a new form of sexual exploitation of minors, mainly in both digital and physical spaces.
Pick-up Artists
Or «seduction coaches» also form a sub-group of the manosphere. They promote ‘seduction’ techniques designed to help men have more sexual partners.
Pig Slaughtering
Or ‘romance baiting’. In French, this is known as the ‘pig slaughter’ scam. It is a form of fraud in which the victim is tricked into making fictitious financial investments. The modus operandi is very similar to that of cryptocurrency scams and romance scams.
Plato
An app that combines online gaming with chatting with friends. It lets you play multiplayer games, chat via text or voice during games, and join groups or chat rooms. It’s very popular with young people.
Prompt
A prompt is an instruction or question given to artificial intelligence to generate content, such as text, images or music.
Peer pressure
The influence exerted by a group that causes a person to act against their will or values, out of fear of rejection or judgement.
Psychological pressure
Repeated manipulation aimed at making a person doubt themselves, feel guilty or become unsettled, which may lead to a loss of self-confidence.
Privacy
The right to control one’s personal information and to decide what is and isn’t shared on the internet.
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».
Child prostitution
This term should no longer be used. The term ‘sexual exploitation of minors for the purposes of prostitution’ should be used instead.
Phubbing
The behaviour of ignoring someone in real life in order to look at one’s phone, which can be detrimental to social relationships.
QR Code
It is a type of two-dimensional barcode consisting of black square modules arranged within a square on a white background. These dots represent the information contained in the code. This machine-readable pattern can be viewed on the screen of a mobile device or printed on paper.
Rabbit hole
It is a type of two-dimensional barcode consisting of black square modules arranged within a square on a white background. These dots represent the information contained in the code. This machine-readable pattern can be viewed on the screen of a mobile device or printed on paper.
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
A coordinated online attack against an account, an individual or a group, often on social media or in online games, aimed at posting a large number of negative messages, comments or content in order to harass them.
Racket
A form of blackmail involving physical coercion or threats to obtain money, goods or services.
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… major 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.
Whilst it can encourage healthy habits, it can also lead to unrealistic comparisons or risky behaviour, sometimes contributing to eating disorders in young people.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
Twitter’s Retweet feature allows users to quickly share a Tweet with all their followers. You can retweet your own Tweets or those of others. RT is short for retweet.
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
A trend among teenage girls that involves starving themselves so they can show off their ribs on Instagram or other social media.
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, whilst remaining as inconspicuous as possible.
RedPill (red pill)
Refers to a person who becomes aware of reality, who realises that today’s world favours women.
The 80/20 Rule
A principle originating from the incel community which states that 80% of women are attracted to 20% of men
Romance baiting
Romance baiting or pig butchering. It is a financial and emotional scam.
Rumour
Unverified information, often false, circulated with the aim of damaging a person’s reputation or isolating them.
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.
Safer Internet Centre (SIC)
A national organisation co-funded by the European Commission, comprising three complementary services: an awareness-raising centre, a support helpline and a reporting hotline.
Safer Internet Days (SID)
This is the international day dedicated to a safer and more responsible internet for young people. It is organised by the European Insafe network and, in France, by Internet Sans Crainte, the e-Enfance/3018 association and Point de contact. In France, it takes place between February and March and is included in the school calendar.
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.Shadowban
The invisible reduction of the visibility of an account or content by a platform, without notifying the user.
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
A status provided for under Article 22 of the Digital Services Act, dated 19 October 2022, which grants an entity officially recognised by the competent national authority priority handling of their reports by digital platforms in order to improve the efficiency and speed of moderation.
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.
Signal-Sports
A unit set up in 2019 by the Ministry of Sport to receive reports of violence in the sporting world, protect athletes (particularly minors), investigate and initiate proceedings where necessary
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.
Social engineering
(Social engineering): a psychological manipulation technique aimed at obtaining sensitive information (passwords, personal data) by exploiting trust or gullibility.
Stigmatisation
The act of singling out and discriminating against a person on the basis of a particular characteristic (appearance, background, sexual orientation, etc.), which may lead to their exclusion.
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.
Surveillance / tailing
The act of repeatedly or intrusively following someone, which may cause a feeling of insecurity or fear.
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
The action of swiping right, left, or down on certain mobile applications such as Yellow, Instagram, etc.
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.Connection time
The length of time a person spends online or using an app.
Screen time
Total time spent in front of a screen. Excessive screen time can have negative effects on physical and mental health.
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.Therian
They identify as animals that exist or have existed. They are also aware that they are not physically animals, but resent being trapped in a human body. To alleviate this discomfort, therians use all sorts of accessories to resemble the animal with which they identify.
Theseus
Harmonised Handling of Investigations and Reports Relating to Online Fraud. A platform run by the Ministry of the Interior that allows victims of online fraud to file a complaint online.
Twitter
Now known as X, this social media platform allows users to post and share short messages, images or videos.
It is used for keeping up to date, commenting on the news, interacting with other users and following personalities and organisations.Online toxicity
Any form of negative behaviour on the internet (insults, taunts, harassment) that creates a hostile environment.
Sex tourism
A term that is used incorrectly and should be avoided. It should be replaced with ‘itinerant child sexual abuse’.
Therapytok
A trend on TikTok where content relating to psychology and mental health is becoming very popular. It is a «community» or collection of videos offering advice on romantic relationships, explanations of psychological concepts, personal accounts and videos of «therapy» presented in layman’s terms. However, as these are far too simplified and accessible to younger viewers, the consequences can be dangerous, as there is a risk of people misdiagnosing themselves. Some of the information is also false or unverified.
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).
Online privacy
Managing personal information online and the ability to protect one’s data from misuse.
Rape
A non-consensual act characterised by sexual penetration (vaginal, anal, oral-genital or any other form of sexual penetration of any kind, including with an object or a part of the body other than the genitals). Penetration constitutes the material element of rape.
Psychological abuse
Repeated attacks (insults, humiliation, threats, manipulation) that have a lasting impact on mental health and self-esteem.
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.
