Deconstructing Youth Slang: A Deep Dive into the Meaning of Canon and Headcanon
Canon refers to the official, accepted details and events in a story or series as established by the original material or its creator. It is the authoritative source of information about the characters, settings, and events within that universe. For example, in the Harry Potter series, it’s canon that Harry Potter is a wizard or in the Star Wars universe, it’s canon that Darth Vader is Luke’s father.
On the other hand, a headcanon is a fan’s personal interpretation, idea, or belief about a storyline or character that may not align with the official canon. It’s something a fan might believe or imagine to be true, despite not being confirmed or acknowledged in the official material. For example, a fan might believe that Thor really likes cats, even though it’s never mentioned in the Marvel Universe (headcanon).
Examples
- Jack: Hey, have you caught up with the latest episodes of our favorite show?
- Anna: Yeah, I did. I am not happy about the plot though.
- Jack: Really? Why?
- Anna: Because in my headcanon, the main character would never act this way.
- Jack: But it's the show's canon
- Texter 1: Hey mate, did you watch the latest episode of Game of Thrones?
- Texter 2: Yeah totally, is it just me who thinks Daenerys and Jon Snow are endgame, it's my canon.
- Texter 1: Haha, not really a canon but rather your headcanon. The creators have not confirmed any such thing.
- Texter 2: Well, they should because it's totally legit. 😉
- Person A: Hey, what's your canon on Game of Thrones ending?
- Person B: My headcanon? I'd like to believe Jon Snow rules the Seven Kingdoms.
- Person A: Oh, interesting! My canon is totally different. I think Arya should have been the one on the Iron Throne.
- Person B: Nah, I disagree. But that's the cool thing about headcanons, right? We can imagine whatever endings we want!
Understanding and Addressing Your Child's Dangerous Slang: Canon Versus Headcanon Approach
If you as a parent recognize your child using slang that signifies dangerous behavior such as canon or headcanon, the ideal first step is calm and constructive communication. Try to understand the context and purpose of your child using these terms. If these words are associated with drugs, bullying, or any criminal activity, it may be time to take further steps. Implement the use of a parental control app, this will help monitor their online activities and block potentially harmful content. Always remember, your goal is not to control but to protect your child and keep them safe online.
Summary
We dive into the world of youth slang by explaining the terms ‘canon’ and ‘headcanon’. Canon is the official information or events in a story, while headcanon is a fan’s personal interpretation of the story or character. In terms of ensuring our child’s online safety, it’s important for us to understand the differences and applications of these terms, and to take necessary precautions if they’re used in dangerous contexts.
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What to do if you recognize your child's dangerous slang
Keyword alert is a feature in parental control apps designed to notify parents or guardians when specific words or phrases are detected in their child's online activity.
When triggered, the parental control app sends an alert to the parent's device, allowing them to promptly address any potential issues and ensure their child's online safety and well-being. We recommend adding slang related to drugs and sext to your keywords alert.
