FWB Meaning, Examples & How Kids Use It

It won’t be an exaggeration to say that slang has taken over the social scene, online and offline. Listening to a Gen Z conversation often seems like coded messages when you hear words like rizz, KMS, idk, sus, stan, etc. Such a common slang in the dating world is FWB. Though it has been used in the past in the 90s and early 2000s, it has gained more traction recently.

If you’ve never heard the slang term before, the first question that comes to mind is “What does FWB mean?”

This article covers all the details on this popular slang, including, “What does FWB mean in dating?” “What does FWB mean in text?” “What does FWB mean on snapchat?” and everything else you need to know.

Part 1. What Does 'FWB' Mean

FWB is initialism for “Friends With Benefits.”

You might see your teenage kid use this slang when they step into the dating scene or keeping or casual. ‘Friends with benefits’ refers to a relationship where you do not have to be committed or romantically involved with the other person, but get physical benefits.

So, if you’re wondering, “what does FWB mean sexually?” It means having sexual relationships with someone without being in a committed relationship. Usually, people in FWB relationships typically have already known each other before, making them ‘friends’ with benefits.

It’s similar to NSA (no strings attached) where you‘re free to be with other people and spend time with each other for mutual sexual benefits.

FWB relationships are common among people sharing the same room or house in a shared living situation. They may be dating another person, exploring their sexualities, or taking a break from dating. However, people living away from each other may also be friends with benefits.

Though FWB works for many people, it depends on how emotionally attached you get to other people. If one of the people in a FWB relationship feels an emotional connection with the other, it can be heart-breaking when the other person is not interested in commitment. So, you must only get into a ‘friends with benefits’ situation when you’re sure you do not want anything more.

Part 2. Where Does 'FWB' Come From

While the exact origin of the term FWB is hard to trace, it was first heard in the 1995 Alanis Morrisette’s song “Head Over Feet.”

The song said, “You’re my best friend / Best friend with benefits.”

Later, the term became more popular when the movie ‘Friends with Benefits’ starring Mila Kunis and Justin Timberlake was released in 2011.

Now that you know the FWB meaning slang, let’s tell you how kids use it in everyday conversations. It will enable you to protect them from potential harm by informing them of the meaning of this term and possible dangers.

Part 3. How Kids Use 'FWB' in Everyday Conversation

It is not too common for young kids to use FWB in their conversations, but it is popular among them to use dating terms like FWB when stepping into the dating world.

You might see them use FWB in texting and online conversations or share posts on social media mentioning FWB or ‘friends with benefits.’

3.1. Examples of 'FWB' in sentences

You might see your kid use FWB in conversations, such as:

• “Are you in a relationship with Allen?”
• “Nah, we’re just FWB.”
• “I heard Mila is no more with Sam.”
• “They were FWB, but Sam wanted more.”
• “Are you FWB with George?”
• “No. We’re just flatmates.”
• “What is this new FWB trend?”
• “Yeah, everyone’s just interested in casual relationships now.”

3.2. Variations and related slang terms

Other than FWB slang meaning, we’ve explained other related slang terms like FWSB, BFFWB, NSA and ONS for better understanding.

FWSB: FWSB is a term similar to FWB, translating to Friends with Some Benefits. People who see their friends with benefits once in a while use this term to show that they get ‘some’ benefits instead of regularly seeing them.

BFFWB: What happens if you get into a ‘benefit’ situation with your bestest friend? BFFWB or Best Friends Forever with Benefits is a term for being friend with benefits with your best friend forever.

NSA: NSA is initialism for No Strings Attached that refers to a casual relationship where both people are only interested in sexual benefits.

ONS: ONS is for One Night Stand which is used to describe a one-night sexual interaction with someone; it is highly likely that you might not see them again.

3.3. Social media usage and popular hashtags

Some common FWB hashtags on social media are:

#FWB

#friendswithbenefits

#love

#FWBindonesia

#sexeducation

#dating

#FWBbandung

#FWBsurabaya

#swingles

#lovewithatwist

#FWBjogja

#FWBindo

#destin

Part 4. How to Talk with Your Kid about Slang

Slang has always been a part of conversations among people of all ages. While the slang terms may vary in different regions and generations, everyone has something that makes conversations easier and flowy. Similar to when you were kids, children nowadays also use slang terms.

In fact, the use of slang is even more because of access to social media. Early access to social media can be dangerous as well. You might see your kid use slang with their online friends without understanding its proper meaning. Thus, you must communicate with them when you see them using slang like FWB with their friends.

4.1. Importance of understanding teen slang

With the increasing use of social media among teenagers, understanding teen slang has become more important than ever. Studies show that 60 percent of college students have been in a “friends with benefits” relationship. Thus, parents need to be careful and take measures when they see their kids using slang terms like FWB, NSA, etc.

4.2. Tips and examples for starting a conversation about slang with your child

When you understand FWB meaning in text and social media, you might want to talk to your kids about it. However, you must ensure that you do not seem interrogative or your kid might get defensive. Instead, have an open conversation with them, showing interest in commonly used slang terms. Here’s how you can have a conversation about FWB and other slang with your child:

• Start with mentioning how kids nowadays use slang terms that are difficult to understand.
• Mention that you saw someone mention FWB online and also read it on their (your kid’s) messaging app; ask them “What does FWB mean?” If they do not share the meaning clearly, you can tell them that you know what it means and you’re concerned about them.
• Ask them where they heard it first and why they’re using it in their texts. Talk to them about their dating life and relationships in a friendly way to understand why they’re using FWB and other similar terms.
• Inform them of online predators who might want sexual favors in the name of FWB or NSA and instruct them to not use these slang terms when talking to strangers.
• Tell them about unplanned pregnancies resulting from one night stands or friends with benefits situations. Providing sex education at the right time and sharing the concept of love when they want to be in a relationship with someone can help them make better decisions.
• In case the kids do not understand the consequences, you can set some ground rules and take away luxuries until they realize the problem. If they become more secretive about their phone, using a parental control app like Msafely can be helpful to monitor their activities.

Part 5. Staying Informed About Teen Slang: Using Parental Control Apps to Monitor Your kid's Phone Activity

Parental control applications and software can be immensely helpful when you want to monitor your kids’ phone activity. These apps also help you stay updated on their location, so you know where they are, making it easy for you to ensure their safety.

5.1. What is Msafely

Msafely is a parental control app with various feature used by parents to protect their kids online and in the real world. This comprehensive application enables you to keep an eye on your kids’ activity on their phone and social media, so you can ensure their safety. Moreover, the GPS tracking feature makes it a favorite among parents who want to know where their kids are.

The best part is that Msafely leaves no track on the target device. There is no icon on the target phone because you do not have to download it. Moreover, it is quite easy to connect and use, allowing you to monitor your kids’ device conveniently.

5.2. Key features of Msafely

With Msafely, you can monitor various apps on the target phone, including:

•  Text messages
•  Calls
•  WhatsApp
•  Snapchat
•  Instagram
•  Line
•  Photos & videos
•  Installed apps

5.3. Steps of Using Msafely to Monitor Your Kid's Phone

You can connect and start using MSafely to monitor your kid’s phone with three easy steps:

Step 1. Register a free account with your email by visiting the Msafely website.

Step 2. Choose your child's cell phone model, whether it's an Android or an iPhone.

Step 3. Once you connect the target phone to your Msafely account, you can start tracking the target device remotely.

Part 6. FAQs about FWB Meaning

Q1. What are FWB rules?

The basic concept of FWB is having a sexual relationship without expecting an emotional connection. Thus, the fundamental FWB rules are to not develop feelings for the other person or expect them to be emotionally invested.

Q2. Will FWB fall in love?

It is rare for friends with benefits to fall in love, but not out of the question. Often, one person falls in love with the other, leading to heartbreak.

Q3. Is FWB a healthy relationship?

Though FWB is often a convenient way of satisfying one’s sexual needs without having to commit to giving priority to the relationship, it’s not an ideal situation. One of the partners might develop feelings for the other, making it hard to continue a no-strings-attached relationship.

Q4. How long should a FWB last?

There is no defined duration for friends with benefits and you can be in this setup as long as it works for the involved parties. Around 75% of friends with benefit relationships last a year at max.

Q5. Is having FWB cheating?

If your boyfriend or girlfriend doesn’t know about your friends with benefit situation, it is definitely cheating. However, if you and your dating partner are okay with the setting, it won’t be considered cheating.

Part 7. Conclusion

If you’ve seen your kid using FWB on text or social media conversations, understanding FWB meaning in text and Snapchat is inevitable. FWB is initialism for Friends with Benefits. It refers to a situation where two people are in a sexual relationship without commitment or a romantic relationship.

FWB is similar to NSA (no strings attached). Seeing your kid use other similar terms like FWSB, BFFWB, and ONS, is also worrisome as they all relate to sexual relationships in some way.

Talk to your kid if you see them using these slang terms and connect their device to a parental control app like Msafely. It helps you monitor their messages and online conversations. It is important to keep an eye on your kids’ activity to save them from potential predators and molestation in the name of FWB or ONS.