Police and experts are warning parents to be cautious about the emojis their children use online, an issue highlighted in the hit Netflix drama Adolescence. The series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, played by Owen Cooper, who is arrested for murdering a female classmate after being radicalised by online misogynist content.
A key scene shows DI Luke Bascome, played by Ashley Walters, speaking to his son, Adam, played by Amari Bacchus, about the murder. Adam explains the hidden meanings behind common emojis, particularly those linked to the “manosphere” – a network of online influencers spreading misogynist and incel (involuntary celibate) ideologies. The manosphere includes content creators who push sexist ideas onto young men online, such as accused rapist and human trafficker Andrew Tate.
The most extreme of these groups are the self-proclaimed ‘incels’ – men who define themselves by their inability to form sexual relationships with women.
Adam reveals that the red pill emoji symbolises being “red-pilled,” or awakening to misogynist views.
The dynamite emoji signifies an exploding red pill, suggesting radical incel beliefs.
The 100 emoji refers to the “80/20 rule,” the belief that 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men.
The kidney bean emoji may also be linked to incel culture, possibly derived from the coffee emoji, which can be used to mock women.
Different heart emojis also have specific meanings according to the show. A red heart means love, purple means sexual attraction, yellow suggests mutual interest, pink implies interest without sex, and orange signals reassurance. However, interpretations of these emojis can vary.
Drug-related emoji are another concern, although not covered in the show, in 2023, Surrey Police issued a guide explaining how emojis are used in drug slang.
A horse emoji can represent ketamine, while snowflakes or snowmen can refer to cocaine, and various leaf and tree emojis may symbolise cannabis.
Sexual emoji are also common in teenage communication, for example, an aubergine or banana may symbolise a penis, while peaches, cherries, and the sweat droplets emoji may all have sexual meanings depending on context.
Experts have emphasised the importance of open conversations with children about emoji use.
Commander Helen Shneider of the Australian Federal Police advises that while many emojis are harmless, some have hidden meanings that could signal risky behavior, reports Daily Mail.
She encourages parents to maintain open dialogue with their children to foster trust and understanding, helping them navigate online communication safely.
In an article for The Conversation, Dr Robert Lawson, an expert on sociolinguistics from Birmingham City University, says: “The cyberpunk blockbuster The Matrix is the source of a key symbol in the manosphere – the red pill.”
Just like in The Matrix, manosphere influencers describe adopting misogynist views as taking the red pill and waking up from the illusions of the “Matrix” of conventional thought.
The Netflix show Adolescence asks important questions about online safety and the content young people are consuming.