Experts are warning that some of the emojis commonly used by teenagers may have hidden and potentially dangerous meanings.
Netflix’s latest drama, “Adolescence” has raised awareness about the dangers of teenagers using coded messages with emojis.
The series follows the story of a 13-year-old boy, Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who is arrested for the murder of a classmate after becoming radicalised by incel and misogynistic content online.
It highlights how certain seemingly harmless emojis like kidney beans, cherries, coloured hearts, and clown faces—are being used as part of a secret code that many adults would struggle to decipher.
The incel connection
The term incel refers to males who consider themselves “involuntary celibates” and often engage in radical sexist language and hate speech against women
Incels have adopted specific emojis to signal their ideological beliefs.
One of the most well-known symbols within the “manosphere” is the red pill emoji, derived from the film “The Matrix”, where taking the red pill represents seeing the truth.
In incel communities, this concept is warped to suggest that women manipulate men, and that only a small percentage of men are attractive to the majority of women.
Some incels use the kidney bean or coffee cup emoji to identify themselves or others who share their views.
Emojis and drug use
There are also concerns about the use of emojis to discuss or facilitate illegal drug activity. Various symbols act as discreet references:
– A horse emoji may signify ketamine, a drug used as a tranquilliser for horses.
– An alien, demon mask, space invader, or skull and crossbones can represent MDMA.
– A snowflake, snowman, or blowfish/fish may indicate cocaine.
– A balloon often refers to nitrous oxide (NOS).
– Crystals, pills, syringes, or clouds can represent various drugs.
– Cannabis has numerous associated emojis, including dogs, cake, ice cream, lemons, grapes, and plant symbols such as the maple leaf, four-leaf clover, or generic trees/leaves.
– A plug emoji or an eight-ball (pool ball) is often used to refer to a drug dealer.
The meaning of coloured hearts
The heart emoji might not always be as innocent as it seems. According to “Adolescence”, teenagers use different colours to convey specific meanings:
– Red heart ❤️: Love
– Purple heart 💜: Sexual attraction
– Yellow heart 💛: Interest in someone, but seeking confirmation
– Pink heart 💕: Interest, but not necessarily in a romantic or sexual way
– Orange heart 🧡: Reassurance or support (‘You’re going to be fine’)
Emojis and sexting
Parents should also be aware that certain emojis carry sexual connotations in digital conversations. For instance:
– The aubergine 🍆 and other phallic-shaped emojis often symbolise male genitalia.
– The peach 🍑 and cherries 🍒 can refer to the female body.
– Water droplets 💦 are commonly used to indicate sexual activity.
What can parents do?
Understanding the hidden meanings behind emojis can help parents navigate their children’s online interactions more effectively.
While not every use of these emojis is sinister, staying informed can help parents identify potential risks and support their children in making safe choices online.
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