Definition
Away From Keyboard. Originally from online games and chat rooms to indicate you've stepped away from the computer. Now used in real life to mean mentally checked out, not paying attention, or physically absent. 'Sorry I was AFK' can mean they weren't near their phone OR they were spacing out in person.
Translation for Parents
It means 'away from keyboard' but your kid probably uses it to mean they were zoned out or not paying attention. If they say 'sorry i was afk' in a text, they just mean they weren't looking at their phone. If they say it in person, they mean they weren't paying attention. Either way, it's a polite-ish way of saying 'I missed that.'
Examples
“sorry i was afk what did the teacher say”
“Sorry I wasn't paying attention, what did the teacher say”
“been afk all day my phone died”
“I've been unreachable all day, my phone died”
Cringe Score
Mildly embarrassing
Another veteran internet term that's safe for parental use. If you text your kid 'going AFK for dinner' they'll understand and probably won't even make fun of you for it.
Category
abbreviation
Last Verified
2026-02-26
Sources
editorial, urban_dictionary