Decoding Risky Emojis (part 4)

Year 5 to 12 parents and teachers

Social media and texting have introduced a new layer to teenage communication, not just through acronyms but also emojis, which often carry hidden meanings that may be of concern to parents and educators. Emojis can appear innocent but might represent code for more risky behaviors or conversations. Understanding these symbols can be crucial in maintaining awareness of teens' online activities. Here’s a detailed look at some emojis with hidden meanings that parents and educators should be aware of:

🍑 Peach and 🍆 Eggplant

These emojis often transcend their literal fruit and vegetable meanings. The peach emoji is typically used to represent buttocks, while the eggplant often refers to male genitalia. Both are commonly used in sexual contexts.

💊 Pill

While it could simply refer to medicine, the pill emoji often appears in conversations about drug use, especially recreational or illicit.

🔥 Fire

Commonly used to denote that something is hot, exciting, or trendy, the fire emoji can also be used to indicate attractive features of someone or something.

😈 Smiling Face with Horns

Often used playfully, this emoji can also denote mischievous or naughty behavior, especially in flirting or sexual contexts.

🌿 Leaf Fluttering in Wind

Although it might seem harmless, the leaf emoji is frequently a stand-in for marijuana.

💉 Syringe

Apart from medical references, the syringe is often used to discuss drug use, particularly injections.

🚬 Cigarette

Used not just to indicate smoking but sometimes also to suggest 'smoking hot' content or allure.

👀 Eyes

While generally representing looking or needing to see something, in certain contexts, it can imply voyeurism or agreeing to look out for each other while discussing something secretive.

🐸 Frog

In some online communities, the frog emoji has taken on connotations related to alt-right and meme cultures, which can sometimes be associated with controversial or extremist content.

🎱 Black Ball

While it can refer to pool or billiards, it's sometimes used in the context of 8-ball, which is a street term for a quantity of drugs.

Conclusion

For teenagers, emojis serve as an extension of their digital vocabulary, providing a way to express emotions and actions succinctly. For parents and educators, recognizing the potential double meanings behind these seemingly innocent symbols can be key to understanding hidden contexts in communications. Awareness and open discussions about the use of such emojis can help bridge the gap in digital literacy and ensure safer online environments for teens.

Question:

Casper Pieters PhD Dip Ed is an author and educator who uses adventure narratives to enliven the IT curriculum for young people. www.casperpieters.com