The meaning behind the emoji 🤔

It is nothing new for teenagers to want to hide conversations from their parents, and emojis have proven to be an effective way of doing this. Now that we are all discussing it, it wouldn’t be at all surprising if they find a different way to disguise their messages in future. 

That doesn't make this less important to be aware of, especially as some secret meanings might indicate something worrying.

Other terms that have been getting a lot of attention in combination with emojis are ‘incels’ and the ‘manosphere’. The ‘manosphere’ is loosely used to describe a variety of men’s groups fighting against progressive, or ‘woke’, ideas about gender equality and identifying with worrying beliefs that men are naturally dominant. In the last decade there has been a distinct rise in the promotion of misogynistic behaviours online, with popular streamer Andrew Tate and Psychologist Jordan Peterson finding their way into teenage boys' social media feeds more and more. 

‘Incel’ is short for involuntary celibate. It describes men and boys who blame women because they are unable to find a sexual partner. It is an ideology that, at its worst, has been linked to terror attacks and killings. But what does this all have to do with emojis? 

In the world of 'manosphere' influencers, apples 🍎, beans 🫘, bills 💵 or the 💯 emoji can be associated with someone expressing they are an 'incel'. These might be promoted by teenagers through text or comments on social media posts. It is important to note that it doesn’t always mean they are used in this context. Also, this is an extreme example and doesn’t apply to most young boys, but it is a good way to show how these things can get out of hand if they go undetected. We have also seen similar disguised emojis used for child criminal exploitation. 

Without sounding like a lecturer, try to teach your child about digital safety and responsibility — including recognising peer pressure, the dangers of sharing information online and the importance of thinking before they post. 

If you are concerned that your child is being bullied online or you have spotted worrying behaviours, you might want to consider using parental controls on mobile phones and apps. These can allow you to monitor for concerning communications without invading your child’s privacy 🔒. 

But don't worry if you're feeling distanced from what your child is going through. What’s important is that every adult in a young person’s life feels able to be there for them and start the conversation. The main thing is creating the space to listen and connect.

For more on online safety, take a look at our online safety page where you'll find information and resources.