Safer Internet Day Highlights Hidden Meanings Behind Emojis

The emojis your child uses online may not mean what you think

Tuesday, 10th February marks Safer Internet Day, a date focused on helping young people navigate the online world safely.

Education and safeguarding training provider High Speed Training has shared guidance highlighting a growing hidden language used by children and young people online, much of it communicated through emojis and text abbreviations that can carry double meanings.

According to the organisation, this evolving digital language can pose safeguarding risks if adults are unaware of what certain symbols and phrases may represent.

Hidden meanings behind everyday emojis

Dr. Richard Anderson, Head of Learning & Development at High Speed Training, said:

“A rapidly evolving hidden language is emerging among young people that adults may remain completely unaware of. This trend presents significant safeguarding risks, making it crucial for anyone who works with or cares for young people to understand the potential hidden meanings behind these messages.

“What may appear to be harmless, playful emojis on a child’s phone could, in reality, be concealing racist remarks, drug-related discussions, sexual propositions, or instances of cyber bullying. The use of double meanings also allows for plausible deniability when questioned, further complicating the issue.”

High Speed Training has outlined several categories of emojis that may be used to communicate more than they first appear to.

Incel-related symbols

These emojis may be used in connection with incel ideology:

• 🔴 or 💊 refers to the ‘red pill’, meaning someone believes they have discovered a supposed ‘truth’ about women and society

• 🔵 refers to the ‘blue pill’, used to describe those seen as unaware of that ‘truth’

• ⚫ represents the ‘black pill’, linked to nihilistic beliefs that social status is fixed

• 💥 or 🧨 can be used to identify someone as an incel

• 💯 refers to the ‘80 to 20 rule’ theory

• 🫘 may be used to self-identify as an incel

Bullying, threats and self-harm

Some emojis can suggest bullying, intimidation or emotional distress:

• ❄ meaning someone is overly sensitive

• 🧢 meaning a lie

• 🐍 used to call someone untrustworthy

• 👊 or 🤕👉🤕 or 👊👉🚑 suggesting a threat of physical violence

• 👻 referring to being ‘ghosted’

• 💉 or 🤔🔫 or 💊🛀💀 or 🛤🚶💀 which may indicate self-harm or suicidal thoughts

Drug references

• 🥦 🌳 🍁 💨 🎱 for cannabis

• ❄ 🥥 ⛄ 🤧 🔑 for cocaine

• 🔌 referring to a drug dealer

Sexual references

A wide range of emojis may be used to refer to sexual activity or explicit content, including:

• 🔨 👉👌 👉🌭 👉🌮 for sex

• 🥵 or 🔥 meaning someone is sexually attractive

• 🌶 or 😵 for explicit content

• 🍑 🚚 🌮 🍉 🍯 🌷 🍩 🍌 🍆 🌽 🍒 🐫 🍻 and others referring to body parts or sexual acts

• 🍝 meaning nude or semi-nude images

Text abbreviations to be aware of

High Speed Training also highlighted abbreviations commonly used in messages.

Incel terms

• AWALT meaning ‘all women are like that’

• ER referring to Elliot Rodger

• LDAR meaning ‘lay down and rot’

Bullying or threatening language

• 182 meaning ‘I hate you’

• GTFO, IDGAF, STFU

• KYS meaning ‘kill yourself’

Self-harm

• KMS meaning ‘kill myself’

Drugs and sexual content

• 420 for cannabis

• 53X meaning sex

• 9, CD9 or Code 9 meaning parents are nearby

• 99 meaning parents are gone

• ASL, BJ, CU46, DPW, DTF, F2F, PRON, S2R and WYLL relating to sexual conversations or imagery

Keeping children safe online

Dr. Anderson added:

“Parents and teachers can help protect children online by staying informed, fostering open communication, and integrating online safety into everyday learning.

“Recognising hidden meanings in symbols and slang can help to identify potential risks, but it is equally important to remember that not all digital interactions carry a deeper message. By keeping the conversation ongoing and empowering children to seek support we can ensure young people are being appropriately safeguarded.”

High Speed Training says further advice and detailed guidance is available through its High Speed Training Hub and its article, A Guide to Emojis and Texting Abbreviations.