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As a parent raising a son in today’s hyper-digital world, I’ve often wondered about the way young people communicate. Emojis, in particular, seem to be everywhere — in texts, captions, stories — often replacing full sentences with a single icon. 😅
Like many parents, I used to see emojis as harmless, playful symbols. But after watching the Netflix series Adolescence, I realised just how much meaning can be packed into these tiny images — and how often we, as adults, underestimate their power. As a marketer and academic, I’ve always believed that a visual can tell a thousand stories. Whether in a campaign or a lecture slide, I know that images can stir emotion, shift perceptions, and spark connection. Emojis, in that sense, are no different — they are this generation’s visual shorthand: compact, powerful, and deeply layered.
In one powerful scene in Adolescence, a group of teens communicates almost entirely through emojis — from subtle flirting and in-jokes to emotional distress and even risk-taking behaviour. It was a wake-up call. I found myself thinking: If I saw those messages on my son’s screen, would I even know what they meant?
Behind the Smile: Why Parents Should Pay Attention
What seems innocent — a 🍑, a 💨, or a 🔥 — might actually carry complex meanings among teens. Emojis can be fun and expressive, but they can also hide sarcasm, peer pressure, or even emotional red flags. And because they’re so easy to dismiss as “just pictures,” we often miss the bigger conversation happening beneath the surface.
But here’s the good news: Adolescence doesn’t leave us feeling helpless. Instead, it reminds us that our role as parents isn’t to decode every emoji — it’s to keep the lines of communication open.
Since watching the series, I’ve found myself reflecting more often and asking, “What does this emoji really mean to the new generation of internet users?” Although my son isn’t on any social media yet — and to be honest, I believe most platforms aren’t appropriate for children under 16 — I know the time will come when he starts exploring those digital spaces. And when it does, I want to be ready.
Emojis can be seen as a new form of communication — a kind of visual language that carries its own meanings, tones, and nuances. We don’t need to speak their language perfectly. What truly matters is our willingness to listen, to ask questions without judgment, and to stay genuinely curious about the online worlds they’re growing up in.
Let’s Talk, Not Just Watch
Here’s what I’m learning — and what I’d encourage other parents to consider:
Ask about the things you don’t understand. It shows interest, not ignorance.
Talk about boundaries in digital life the same way you would about friendships or school.
Listen for what’s not being said — sometimes the quietest emoji says the most.
Because at the end of the day, every emoji is a message — and every message is an opportunity to connect.
Common Emoji Meanings Among Teens (as seen in Adolescence):
🍑 (Peach) – Often used to represent a bottom or for flirtatious/sexual innuendo.
🍆 (Eggplant) – Commonly used to represent male genitalia; not about vegetables!
💦 (Sweat droplets) – Typically implies something sexual rather than exercise.
😏 (Smirking face) – Flirtation, teasing, or innuendo.
🔥 (Fire) – Someone or something is “hot,” cool, or attractive.
💋 (Kiss mark) – Often used in flirtatious or romantic messages.
👀 (Eyes) – “I’m watching,” “Did you see that?”, or showing interest/suspicion.
💨 (Dash) – Suggests speed (running away), or sometimes flatulence or vaping.
🚩 (Red flag) – Used to highlight problematic behaviour or a warning.
😶🌫️ (Face in clouds) – Confusion, zoning out, feeling overwhelmed or emotionally numb.
😮💨 (Face exhaling) – Relief, exhaustion, or letting go; can also signal vaping.
💥 Dynamite Emoji – Often interpreted as an “exploding red pill,” this symbol is used to suggest someone has become a radicalised incel.
🫘 Kidney Bean Emoji – Sometimes used within incel communities, often in a mocking context aimed at women.
💯 100 Emoji – Linked to the “80/20 rule,” a belief in some online circles that 80% of women are only attracted to the top 20% of men.
❤️ 💜 💛 💗 🧡 Coloured Heart Emojis – These don’t always mean “love”! Each colour can signal something specific:
❤️ = Love
💜 = Lust
💛 = “Are you interested?”
💗 = Interested, but not in a sexual way
🧡 = A message of comfort or reassurance (“You’ll be okay”)
I hope you found this post useful and informative. I really need your support, it is a self-funding project, so I kindly ask you (if you can or if you want), please share this post and subscribe to our mailing list! Click here to see other posts.
Thank you J. Oliveira
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