Netflix's Adolescence exposes secret kids' emoji code

Adolescence has shone a light on the hidden language our children are using on smartphones with symbols and colours vital in decoding this new tech language.

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The hit Netflix show Adolescence, featuring Stephen Graham, has highlighted the significance of hidden meanings in our children's smart devices, with symbols, colours and timing crucial to deciphering this new tech language. Experts, including police authorities, have even issued warnings for parents to remain vigilant.

In the popular series, viewers witness 13-year-old Jamie Miller, portrayed by Owen Cooper, being arrested by local police for the murder of a female classmate, with numerous shocking scenes unfolding.

It isn't until the second episode of the series that viewers grasp how oblivious today's parents can be. This is illustrated when DI Luke Bascome, played by Ashley Walters, has a serious conversation with his son in a quiet school room, helping to illuminate how the younger generation communicates nowadays.

A scene from Adolescence showing Mark Stanley as Paulie Miller, Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller, Stephen Graham as Eddie Miller (Image: Courtesy of Netflix)

His son, who portrays a 15-year-old in the show, discloses to his on-screen father that the police and adults are failing to comprehend what's truly happening, leading viewers to uncover the sinister truth behind simple emojis. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here

From the colour of love hearts to specific vegetables, these 'innocent' symbols carry much deeper meanings and conceal a surprising code that most people who have left school wouldn't recognise, reports the Mirror.

Alarmingly, some symbols can indicate someone is an 'incel' – a radical misogynist who identifies as an 'involuntary celibate'. Within the 'manosphere,' which police character Detective Sergeant Frank refers to as 'Andrew Tate s****,' various items like pills, the '100' emoji, and even kidney beans carry covert meanings.

The use of the pill emoji should be monitored closely (Image: Getty Images)

In a gripping moment, the character Adam, portrayed by Amari Bacchus, declares: "The red pill is like 'I see the truth.' It's a call to action by the manosphere. She's saying he's an incel dad. She's saying he always will be. That's why they say you're an incel, they're saying you're going to be a virgin forever."

While this might baffle most people over 18, we've delved into some of the most prevalent secret codes that could be lurking on any smartphone.

What exactly is an Incel?

A pivotal plot point in the series is Jamie Miller's indoctrination by online misogynistic material. The 'manosphere' consists of influencers and content creators who disseminate sexist ideologies to young men and adolescents. The most radical faction within these groups are 'incels' – men who categorise themselves by their failure to establish sexual relationships with women. This community has adopted certain emojis to signal their membership.

The pill emoji is used to indicate whether someone subscribes to incel beliefs, with manosphere influencers likening themselves to 'taking the red pill' from The Matrix, awakening from the illusionary ideals of the Matrix thought.

The dynamite and '100' emoji The emoji can be linked to "incels" (Image: Getty Images)

Symbolising an exploding red pill, this signifies that someone identifies as an incel. Adam further explains to his father that the '100' emoji is also a symbol used by incels, associated with the '80 to 20 rule'. In the programme, he states: "80 per cent of women are attracted to 20 per cent of men. Women, you must trick them because you'll never get them in a normal way."

The kidney bean

This can be utilised by others to suggest they believe the individual is an incel. Although the connection here is slightly more difficult to decipher, many think it's related to the coffee bean, tied to the phrase 'women coffee' as a way to ridicule women.

Coloured hearts

While they may appear innocent and even affectionate, in emoji slang they carry much deeper meanings. Red is straightforward, signifying love, but then things become a bit more complex. Purple implies "horniness", yellow indicates interest and questions if the recipient feels the same, pink suggests 'I'm interested, but not in sex' and orange conveys 'you're going to be fine'.

The show's interpretation of the colours is not universally accepted, with many online believing the meanings to be less precise. Red is associated with romantic feelings, while orange symbolises enthusiasm and love between friends and family.

Blue is used to express that something is cute, and parents needn't worry if they see a black heart. It doesn't necessarily carry any dark emotions and is often simply an alternative to a red heart for aesthetic reasons.

Drug emoji

According to a guide issued by Surrey Police in 2023, there are certain emojis that can indicate drug-related activity. A horse emoji may refer to Ketamine, while several emojis are linked to MDMA, including an alien, a demon mask, a space invader, and a skull and crossbones. Cocaine is often represented by various nicknames for the drug, such as a snowflake, snowman or a blowfish for 'blow. '.

Identifying cannabis references can be tricky, with a wide range of potential symbols including dogs, cake and ice cream - all innocent emojis that many children use in harmless conversations. Lemons, grapes and the maple leaf are often used to represent cannabis. A plug emoji is commonly used to signify a drug dealer.

Sexting emojis

While many joke about the aubergine and peach emojis representing male and female anatomy, there are other symbols to be aware of. Cherries and sweat droplets are common culprits, as well as a banana - and the combination of any of these can symbolise a sexual act.

Facial expressions

Your teenager's phone is likely filled with smiles and laughter, but there are certain emojis to be aware of. For instance, a 'woozy face' could signify being drunk or sexual arousal, while a 'hot face' might mean 'hot' in a sexual context, not temperature-wise.

An upside-down face could indicate annoyance, and the clown emoji is often used when someone feels like a fraud. A tongue can symbolise oral sex, and the side eye might suggest your child is sending or receiving questionable snaps.

Keeping children safe

Trust in your children is crucial, and most of the time, none of the above will apply to them. However, there are simple tips for parents to ensure their children's online safety.

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