The release of the Netflix drama series Adolescence has sparked widespread discussions on the secret meaning of emojis, incel subculture and bullying.
Online forums, social media and gaming platforms can expose young boys to incel communities promoting extreme views on misogyny, anti-feminism and toxic masculinity.
What does Incel mean?
Incel, or “involuntarily celibate” is a term associated with a mostly online subculture, who define themselves as unable to find a romantic or sexual partner despite desiring one, and who may blame, objectify and slander women and girls as a result.
What Is the manosphere?
The manosphere is a varied collection of online communities – websites, blogs, and online forums promoting masculinity, misogyny, and opposition to feminism and hatred towards women and girls.
What do the emojis mean in Netflix’s Adolescence?
Securus has compiled a list of some trending emojis students may use as secret codes and that could be possible safeguarding concerns, some of which are highlighted in the popular Netflix drama series Adolescence.
Incel |
|
|---|---|
| Emoji(s) | Potential Meaning |
| 💊🔴 | The red pill emoji has become associated with incel (“involuntarily celibate”) subculture. While the concept comes from The Matrix movies, it has been co-opted by the manosphere to symbolise a belief in having awakened to the so-called “real truth” about society. |
| 🔵 | As the opposite of the red pill, the blue pill emoji is used in incel subculture to describe people who are unaware of the “real truth” and who accept conventional or mainstream beliefs about gender roles and dynamics. |
| ⚫ | The black pill emoji is used in incel subculture to signal “incel for life”. |
| 💯 | The 100 emoji is used to represent the idea promoted by the manosphere that 80% of women are attracted to 20% of men. |
| 🧨 | The dynamite emoji is used in incel subculture to represent an exploding red pill – breaking out of societal norms and so called “myths” and converting to incel or subscribing to the manosphere. |
| 🍎 | The apple emoji is used in incel subculture as an alternative version of the red pill emoji. |
| 🫘 | The kidney beans emoji represents coffee beans and is tied to incel culture, in reference to a YouTube video called “Women Coffee” and a series of derogatory memes mocking women. |
| 👹👺👻 | The ogre, goblin, and ghost face emjois are used in incel culture to spread anti-woman sentiment. |
Drugs |
|
| Emoji(s) | Potential Meaning |
| ⛄❄️⛽🎱👃 | The snowman, snowflake, gas pump, 8 ball, and nose emojis are often used to symbolise Cocaine. |
| 🌿🌱🥦🌳🍁🪴🍀🍃 | The herb, seedling, broccoli, tree, maple leaf, potted plant, four leaf clover, and leaves in the wind emojis are used to refer to Marijuana. |
| 🍄 | The mushroom emoji is used to refer to psilocybin or magic mushrooms as they are more commonly called. |
| 🐍🐉🤎💉 | The snake, dragon, brown heart and injection emojis are used to speak about Heroin. |
| 💊🍬 | The pill or sweets/candy emojis are used to refer to MDMA. |
| 🎈 | The balloon emoji is used to symbolise Nitrous Oxide (NO2), commonly known as laughing gas. |
| 🐴 | The horse head emoji is used to refer to Ketamine. |
| 🔌💵📱 | The plug, cash, and mobile phone emoji are used to refer to a Dealer. |
Violence |
|
| Emoji(s) | Potential Meaning |
| 🔫🔪 | The water pistol/gun and knife emojis are used to refer to Weapons. |
| ☠️🧨 | The skull and crossbones and dynamite emojis can be used to refer to Criminal subjects. |
| 😵 | The crossed eyes emoji can be used to refer to Murder. |
| 🐀 | The rate emoji can be used to label someone as a Snitch. |
| 🚑 | The ambulance emoji is often used as a Threat of physical harm. |
| 🔒 | The padlock emoji can be used to refer to someone being Locked Up. |
| 👊 | The oncoming-fist emoji can be used to suggest a Fight. |
| 🎼 | The musical score emoji is used in reference to Trap Music. |
Self Harm |
|
| Emoji(s) | Potential Meaning |
| 🌧️ | The rain cloud emoji is used to suggest Feeling Low. |
| 🩸✂️ | The blood drop or scissors emojis are often used to refer to Cutting. |
| 💊🛀 | The pill or person in a bathtub emojis can be used to express Suicidal thoughts and ideation. |
Sexual |
|
| Emoji(s) | Potential Meaning |
| 🍆🍑 | The aubergine/egg plant or peach emojis can be used to refer to male and female Genitalia. |
| 🍒 | The cherries emoji can be used in references to Virginity. |
| 🌽 | The corn emoji is often used to refer to Pornography. |
| 💦 | The sweat droplets emoji is used to symbolise Orgasm. |
| 😈🥵 | The smiling devil or hot face emoji is used to symbolise Lust. |
| 💜 | The purple heart emoji refers to feeling Horny. |
| 👀 | The eyes emoji is used to refer to Nudes. |
Extremism |
|
| Emoji(s) | Potential Meaning |
| 👌 | The OK hand gesture emoji is sometimes used to symbolise Far Right political ideologies. |
| ⚡🦔 | The electric bolt or hedgehog emojis are often used as a secret code for Neo Nazism. |
| ⚔️🏴 | The crossed swords or black flag emojis can sometimes be used in the sharing of Extremist propaganda such as radical militant groups. |
It is important to remember that the meanings of emojis can constantly change and their use does not automatically mean that a harmful interaction is taking place or there is a hidden message or communication. As always, the context is important.
If you have any questions about the topics covered in this resource or you would like to discuss our digital monitoring solutions in more detail contact the Securus team or call us on 0330 124 1750.