Emojis are the shorthand of an entire generation. To many parents, they are simply harmless symbols—smiley faces, love hearts, mermaids and even a slice of pizza. But for young people navigating online platforms, emojis can hold coded meanings, some of them dark, disturbing, and dangerous.
Used in online chats, comments, and private messages, emojis can be tools for bullying, hate speech, or signals used by predators. While most emoji use is harmless, it’s important for parents to recognise that some symbols are being used to hide risky, harmful or even illegal behaviour.
The online world is now an inescapable part of childhood. With kids needing phones, tablets and laptops for everything from schoolwork to socialising, constant supervision has become close to impossible.
Even the most attentive parents can struggle to keep up with the fast-changing world of digital language—and through no fault of their own, understanding the next generation is never easy.
Below is a guide to the hidden meanings behind some emojis:
Emojis can be used to symbolise violent intentions or aggression, particularly when paired with specific names or phrases.
What some young people might mean:
- 💣, 🧨,🔫, 🔪 — These emojis can symbolise violence, threats, or intent to cause harm. While teens may sometimes use them as a joke, they can also appear in cyberbullying, intimidation, or even genuine threats.
- 🎯 🔪 — May imply targeting someone or “coming after” them.
- 🔥🔥 — While commonly associated with enthusiasm, it can also imply something is about to “go down” or escalate.
Parent tip: If your child is involved in a chat where these emojis appear frequently in negative or targeted ways, especially alongside names or photos, it might be worth investigating. If your child is frequently sending these emojis to a particular person, it may be worth having a conversation about the nature of that relationship and what the messages are intended to convey.
Sexual content is often veiled in emojis, allowing explicit messages to fly under the radar of adult supervision.
What some young people might mean:
- 🍑 — Bum
- 🍆 — Penis
- 🌮 — Vagina
- 💦 — Ejaculation or sexual excitement
- 🙈🔞, 👅🛏️ — Sometimes a combination of these emojis or similar emojis are used to imply sexual activity
- 🥒,🍌 — Alternative phallic emojis
- 📸🔥 — Implies sending or requesting explicit photos
Warning: These emoji combinations are often used in sexting or grooming attempts. If they appear in messages with older individuals, or accompanied by requests for pictures, it’s a serious red flag.
Emojis can be used to humiliate or isolate others in group chats or social media.
What some young people might mean:
- 🧌, 🐷, 👹, 🤡, 💩, 🧟, 👾 — These emojis can be used to mock someone’s looks or behaviour.
- 🗣️👀💬🚫 — May signal a plan to exclude or target someone: e.g., “Don’t talk to them” or “Watch out for them.”
- 💀, ☠️ — These emojis can be used to mock someone’s embarrassment, suggest they’re being socially excluded, or imply a ‘social death’ in a group setting.
Parent tip: Cyberbullying rarely starts with words alone—targeted clusters of emojis can be just as harmful. If your child seems withdrawn or upset, and you notice these types of emojis in their social media comment sections or messages, it may be a sign they’re experiencing social issues or being targeted online.
Young people often use emojis to reference drugs in a way that seems harmless to outsiders.
What some young people and dealers might mean:
- 🍁, 🌿, 🌱, 🌲, 🚬— Marijuana
- 💊, 🏥,🧑⚕️ — Prescription drugs
- 🍇, 💜, 🍼 — Cough Syrup
- 🍬,❌,💊,❤️ – MDMA
- 🍄 — Magic mushrooms
- 🔌, 🏚️💊, 📱, 🪂📦 — Drug dealer or source (“plug”)
- 🔥🚬 — Smoking drugs, usually weed
- 🐡, 💎, 🎱, ❄️ – Cocaine
Note: These emojis can also be seen in Snapchat or Instagram stories advertising drugs for sale.
Hate and extremist ideologies can sometimes use coded emojis to avoid detection on mainstream platforms.
What some young people or extremist groups might mean:
- 🟥⬛— Red/black squares are sometimes used to signal far-right or fascist alignment.
- 🗽, 🦔— The Statue of Liberty and hedgehog can be used by neo-Nazi groups.
- 👌 — The “ok” symbol is often associated with alt-right or extremist views.
- 🌀📡🧠, 🚩🧠 — Can mock “woke” culture or suggest someone is brainwashed.
- 💊, 💯 — These emojis are commonly associated with the “manosphere” and incel groups.
Red flag: These emojis often accompany misogynistic or violent rants in forums or private group chats. They may be signs that your child is being exposed to radicalising content.
Emojis can be a discreet way for teens to communicate distress or ask for help—often overlooked by adults.
What some young people might mean:
- 🩸🔪😞 — Cry for help or self-harm ideation.
- 🥀💔😓 — Represent emotional pain or despair.
- 🌧️,🌫️ — Metaphor for depression or hopelessness.
- 💤 — Sometimes used to signify a desire to ‘sleep forever’ or suicidal ideation.
- 🕳️ — Represents wanting to disappear.
- 🍽️🚫— Can represent an eating disorder.
Parent tip: Sometimes these emojis and combinations of these emojis are buried in a post or caption that seems vague, for example, “It’s just too much today 🩸.”
What Parents Can Do
- Start conversations early. Talk to your child about digital communication, and that it’s safe to come to you if anything feels wrong.
- Know the platforms. Understand how Snapchat, TikTok, Discord, and Instagram work, especially private chats and disappearing messages. Having a clear understanding of the platforms your child uses is key to supporting their safety online.
- Watch for shifts. A sudden change in emoji use, mood, or secrecy may signal something deeper.
- Use tech wisely. Parental controls and activity reports can help, but conversations matter more.
- Report and support. If something concerning appears, document it and report it to the platform or police. Support services are available for children experiencing bullying, grooming, or mental health challenges.
Emojis are not inherently dangerous, but the way they’re used can be. By staying alert to these coded meanings and maintaining open communication, parents can help their children navigate the digital world safely.
Resources
How to Talk About Violence
Talking about violence with teens is important. These tips can help make this tough conversation easier.
How to Spot the Warning Signs
Parents and caregivers play a crucial role in identifying signs of weapon carrying among their children. Here are some tips and advice on recognising warning signs:
Online Safety Series
Visit our Online Safety Series for range of educational topics and tips to prevent criminal activity while online.
Support Services
If you think your child needs help and feel they will not talk to you, they can reach out to:
- 1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 (24/7): https://www.1800respect.org.au
- Lifeline – 13 11 14 (24/7): https://www.lifeline.org.au
- 13YARN – 13 92 76 (24/7): https://www.13yarn.org.au
- Kids Helpline – 1800 551 800 (24/7): https://kidshelpline.com.au
- Beyond Blue – 1300 224 636 (24/7): https://www.beyondblue.org.au
- Headspace – 1800 650 890: https://headspace.org.au
- RainbowDoor – 1800 729 367 (10am – 5pm): https://www.rainbowdoor.org.au
Remember: It can make a real difference having someone to talk to.
Emergency Situations
If anyone is in immediate danger or a crime is currently occurring, please call police on Triple Zero (000). If you cannot access a phone, you can also go to a police station.
