Decoding Emojis: A Modern Glossary for
Digital Communication
We all love a good emoji. They’re fun, colourful, and the perfect way to express a feeling without typing a single word. But did you know that some emojis your kids are using might not mean what you think?
Experts are noting that certain emojis, often seen as innocent or playful, can have darker, coded meanings in the digital world. For children and teenagers, these symbols sometimes act as a form of secret communication – and not always in a positive way.
While a smiley face or a heart is pretty straightforward, other emojis can convey messages that are far from cheerful.
Children and teens often navigate multiple layers of online communication. Emojis provide a discreet way to express themselves without fear of being easily understood by adults. While not every emoji use is cause for concern, it’s essential for parents to stay informed and engaged in their children’s digital worlds.
Here are a few emojis experts suggest parents should be aware of:
🍆 (Eggplant): male genitalia
🍑 (Peach): buttocks
🍒 (Cherries): breasts or testicles.
💦 (Sweat Droplets):sexual arousal or ejaculation
👅 (Tongue): Suggests oral sex
🔌 (Plug): Refers to a drug dealer
🌿 / 🍁 / 🍃 (Herb/Maple Leaf/Leaves): Marijuana
💊 (Pill): General drug reference or prescription pills
❄️ (Snowflake): Cocaine
🏔️ (Snow-Capped Mountain): Cocaine
🐴 (Horse): Ketamine.
🎈 (Balloon): Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
🍄 (Mushroom): Hallucinogens
🚀 (Rocket): High potency drugs
🧝(Elf or Fairy Emoji): Drug-related conversations
Several emojis have been utilised by Incels as a nod to their ideological allegiance. These include:
💊 (Red Pill): Represents adopting belies associated with the "manosphere," often linked to misogynistic ideologies.
🧨 (Dynamite): Signifies an "exploding red pill," indicating extreme incel views.
💯 (Hundred Points): Refers to the "80/20 rule," a belief that 80% of women are attracted to 20% of men, used within incel communities.
🫘 (Kidney Bean): Used to self-identify as an incel.
❤️ Love or deep affection.
💜 Signifies sexual attraction or a casual relationship.
💛 Indicates friendship or a platonic interest.
🩷 Represents a crush or infatuation without sexual intent.
🧡 Offers reassurance or support.
🤡 Used to label someone as foolish or to indicate self-deprecation.
👀 Suggests the desire to see nude images or indicates being watched.
💀 Can denote something dangerous or deadly, sometimes used in drug contexts.
👻May refer to someone who is elusive or has disappeared from communication.
Emojis are a universal language, and most of the time, they’re harmless fun. But a little awareness can go a long way. By staying informed and talking openly with your children, you can help ensure their online experiences are positive and safe.
Experts are noting that certain emojis, often seen as innocent or playful, can have darker, coded meanings in the digital world. For children and teenagers, these symbols sometimes act as a form of secret communication – and not always in a positive way.
While a smiley face or a heart is pretty straightforward, other emojis can convey messages that are far from cheerful.
Children and teens often navigate multiple layers of online communication. Emojis provide a discreet way to express themselves without fear of being easily understood by adults. While not every emoji use is cause for concern, it’s essential for parents to stay informed and engaged in their children’s digital worlds.
Here are a few emojis experts suggest parents should be aware of:
🍆 (Eggplant): male genitalia
🍑 (Peach): buttocks
🍒 (Cherries): breasts or testicles.
💦 (Sweat Droplets):sexual arousal or ejaculation
👅 (Tongue): Suggests oral sex
🔌 (Plug): Refers to a drug dealer
🌿 / 🍁 / 🍃 (Herb/Maple Leaf/Leaves): Marijuana
💊 (Pill): General drug reference or prescription pills
❄️ (Snowflake): Cocaine
🏔️ (Snow-Capped Mountain): Cocaine
🐴 (Horse): Ketamine.
🎈 (Balloon): Nitrous oxide (laughing gas)
🍄 (Mushroom): Hallucinogens
🚀 (Rocket): High potency drugs
🧝(Elf or Fairy Emoji): Drug-related conversations
Several emojis have been utilised by Incels as a nod to their ideological allegiance. These include:
💊 (Red Pill): Represents adopting belies associated with the "manosphere," often linked to misogynistic ideologies.
🧨 (Dynamite): Signifies an "exploding red pill," indicating extreme incel views.
💯 (Hundred Points): Refers to the "80/20 rule," a belief that 80% of women are attracted to 20% of men, used within incel communities.
🫘 (Kidney Bean): Used to self-identify as an incel.
❤️ Love or deep affection.
💜 Signifies sexual attraction or a casual relationship.
💛 Indicates friendship or a platonic interest.
🩷 Represents a crush or infatuation without sexual intent.
🧡 Offers reassurance or support.
🤡 Used to label someone as foolish or to indicate self-deprecation.
👀 Suggests the desire to see nude images or indicates being watched.
💀 Can denote something dangerous or deadly, sometimes used in drug contexts.
👻May refer to someone who is elusive or has disappeared from communication.
Emojis are a universal language, and most of the time, they’re harmless fun. But a little awareness can go a long way. By staying informed and talking openly with your children, you can help ensure their online experiences are positive and safe.
