The dark meanings behind emojis your kids use
Parents have been warned about the potential dark meanings behind emojis that children share.
Following the release of the new Netflix hit show 'Adolescence', experts are warning parents about the potential dangers emojis can pose.
The series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, portrayed by Owen Cooper, who is taken into custody for the murder of a female classmate.
In one particularly unsettling scene, the adults are shown to be completely out of their depth as DI Luke Bascome's son deciphers the dark meanings behind everyday emojis.
Symbols as seemingly harmless as kidney beans and love hearts are
exposed as part of a hidden code that most adults would never
recognise.
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From coloured hearts and kidney beans to red pills and the 100 emoji, here’s what these symbols on your child’s phone could actually mean.
Note: These emoji meanings are based on international symbols and may not have the same interpretations in South Africa.
Incel emoji
According to CNN, "incel" is internet slang that refers to an online community of radical misogynists who consider themselves unable to attract women sexually. This term is typically associated with hostile views against women.
An incel is usually a male who is frustrated by his lack of sexual experiences and believes he is an "involuntary celibate". The Anti-Defamation League defines this as "heterosexual men who blame women and society for their lack of romantic success."
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Several emojis have been associated with someone claiming the title of an incel. These include:
💊 Pill emoji
In an article for The Conversation, Dr Robert Lawson, an expert on sociolinguistics from Birmingham City University, states: "The Matrix is the source of a key symbol in the manosphere – the red pill."
Based on information in 'Adolescence', other emojis that could refer to an incel include:
🧨 Dynamite emoji
💯 100 emoji
🫘 Kidney bean emoji
Coloured heart emojis
According to 'Adolescence', different coloured hearts may have specific meanings:
❤️ Red heart – love
💜 Purple heart – attraction or horniness
💛 Yellow heart – "I'm interested, are you interested?"
💖 Pink heart– "I'm interested but not in sex"
🧡 Orange heart – "You're going to be fine"
Drug emojis
The Daily Mail reports that numerous emojis are being used to refer to different types of drugs.
In 2023, British police released a list of emojis used in the illegal drug trade. Some of these include:
A plug emoji 🔌 can refer to a drug dealer, commonly known as "a plug".
Sexting emojis
These might be more commonly recognised, as many people use emojis during sexting. However, experts have still warned parents to be on the lookout for these, especially among underage children.
Common sexting-related emojis include:
🍆 Aubergine – often used to represent a penis
🍑 Peach – often used to represent buttocks
🍒 Cherries – can imply breasts or testicles
💦 Sweat droplets – often implies ejaculation
While emojis may seem innocent, they can sometimes carry hidden meanings that parents should be aware of.
Experts advise open communication with children to ensure their online interactions remain safe.
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