24/03/2025
I’m sure by now many of you have watched the Netflix series Adolescence, if not you’ve been hearing about it. I am currently compiling my thoughts and takeaways and I’ll share that soon but for now here is some info worth sharing. Thanks The Peer Project Podcast for this.
🔎 Understanding the Hidden Language of Emojis 🔎
Netflix’s Adolescence has recently shone a light on something crucial for parents, educators, and mentors — a coded language young people are using online that often goes unnoticed by adults. What seems like harmless emojis may actually have deeper, and sometimes concerning, meanings.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔴 Red Pill – Used in certain male-dominated online spaces to signal a belief that they’ve ‘woken up’ to hidden truths about women and society. Often linked to toxic and misogynistic ideas.
🔵 Blue Pill – Represents someone who’s considered ‘blind to the truth,’ still believing in mainstream ideas about relationships and gender.
💥 Dynamite – Known as an “exploding red pill,” this symbol points to someone who’s become even more extreme in these views, often tied to incel culture.
🫘 Kidney Bean – Another emoji linked to incel groups, sometimes used mockingly toward women.
💯 100 Emoji – Connected to the so-called “80/20 rule,” the belief that 80% of women are only attracted to 20% of men.
🕳️ Black Hole – Used to express feelings of depression, hopelessness, or being drawn into negative online spaces.
🌪️ Tornado – Represents chaos or feeling overwhelmed, sometimes tied to mental distress.
🐸 Frog – Often linked to extremist meme culture and, in some cases, connected to the controversial Pepe the Frog symbol.
🦅 Eagle – Frequently seen in far-right spaces as a symbol of extreme nationalism.
💀 Skull – While often slang for “I’m dead” (meaning something is funny), in some contexts it can hint at nihilism or darker themes like self-harm.
❤️ 💜 💛 💗 🧡 Heart Colours – These aren’t always just about love!
❤️ = Love
💜 = Lust
💛 = “Are you interested?”
💗 = Interested, but not romantically or sexually
🧡 = “You’ll be okay”
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🛡️ How Can Parents Stay Informed and Support Their Kids? 🛡️
1️⃣ Start with Curiosity, Not Conflict
Instead of jumping to conclusions, ask open questions: “Hey, I read something about emoji meanings changing. Have you heard of this?” Keeping the tone casual can help build trust.
2️⃣ Create a Safe Space for Conversation
If your child feels they’ll be punished for sharing, they’re less likely to open up. Make it clear you’re there to listen, not just to criticise.
3️⃣ Learn Together
Ask your child to explain their digital world — what certain symbols mean, who they follow online, and why. Understanding their perspective can help you connect.
4️⃣ Encourage Critical Thinking
Help your child question what they see online. Ask things like: “Why do you think this group believes that?” or “Who’s benefiting from this message?” This empowers them to think critically rather than just following trends.
5️⃣ Open Dialogue Over Secret Surveillance
Instead of quietly monitoring their activity, make online check-ins a normal part of family life. This builds trust and keeps conversations flowing.
6️⃣ Talk About Manipulation
Explain how some toxic groups use flattery or ‘insider knowledge’ to make young people feel special or important.
7️⃣ Boost Real-World Confidence
Kids who feel valued, supported, and confident in everyday life are less likely to seek validation in dangerous online spaces.
The digital world moves fast, but staying informed and maintaining open conversations can make all the difference.
