If you’ve watched the new hit Netflix series “Adolescence,” you may be wondering what the emojis used by the kids in it mean. The show is about a 13-year-old boy who’s arrested for the murder of his female classmate and it highlights the way kids can become radicalized online by misogynistic content and communicate using the secret meanings of emojis.
Keith Broni, the editor-in-chief of Emojipedia, says these hidden meanings aren’t new, but different generations and demographic groups have their own slang with emojis. He warns that parents should watch out for emojis relating to the “manosphere” – a collection of influencers, sites and forums online that promote sexist ideas to young men. Broni says even some of the most generic emojis can have a negative connotation toward women and he encourages parents to educate themselves on the different meanings to kids.
Hidden meanings of emojis parents should know include:
- Red pill – This one comes from “The Matrix” and means “I see the truth.” In the manosphere it means waking up to hidden “truths” about women and is linked to misogynistic ideas.
- Blue pill – It represents being “blind to the truth” or still believing in mainstream views about gender dynamics and relationships.
- Dynamite emoji – It refers to an “exploding red pill,” meaning someone is a radicalized incel, or “involuntary celibate.”
- Kidney bean – Linked to incel culture, sometimes used to belittle women.
- 100 emoji – Refers to the “80/20 rule,” which is the belief that 80% of women are only attracted to 20% of men.
- Coffee – Shows disapproval of a woman’s actions.
Broni says these common emojis also have secret meanings:
- Pancakes – A flat bottom
- Steaming bowl of food – Nude photos
- Ear of corn – Porn
- Snowflake – Cocaine
- Lying face – Doing cocaine
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