Emojis Aren’t Always What They Seem: A Quick Guide for Parents

Emojis are the new language of teens. What may look harmless or silly to an adult can carry a very different meaning in peer groups—and sometimes, it’s not so innocent. The hit Netflix series Adolescence powerfully captures this nuance, revealing how seemingly casual emoji exchanges can fuel cyberbullying, social isolation, and emotional trauma among teenagers. The show highlights just how weaponized digital language has become, and why it's critical for parents, teachers, and even teens themselves to understand the unspoken rules behind these tiny icons. Here are some commonly used emojis and the hidden meanings they may carry in school or social media chats:

Emoji	Hidden / Slang Meaning
😒 (Unamused Face)	Passive-aggressive disapproval; often used to shut someone down.
🙃 (Upside-Down Face)	“I’m pretending I’m fine, but I’m not”—or sarcastic “whatever.”
😤 (Face with Steam From Nose)	Could mean mock anger, superiority, or arrogance.
😈 / 👿 (Smiling Devil / Angry Devil)	Mischievous intent; sometimes used when someone plans to do something mean.
👻 (Ghost)	"Ghosting" someone; used to show someone is being ignored or avoided.
🤫 (Shushing Face)	Used to hint at gossip or secrets being kept.
🐸☕ (Frog + Tea)	“Spilling the tea” = gossiping about someone behind their back.
📸 (Camera)	Threat to "expose" someone via screenshots or pics.
🔥💣 (Fire + Bomb)	Something is about to explode—used in drama or online takedowns.
💀🪦 (Skull + Grave)	“You’re finished” or “that’s humiliating”—used when someone gets publicly roasted.
🐐 (Goat)	Usually “Greatest of All Time,” but can be used sarcastically to mock someone trying too hard.
🧠 (Brain)	Used sarcastically to mock someone’s intelligence (e.g., "so smart" in a mean way).
🫵 (Pointing Finger)	Accusatory—calling someone out. Can feel confrontational online.
🧃 (Juice Box)	Refers to “having the juice” or clout—can be mocking if someone’s trying too hard.
🧼 (Soap)	Sometimes used to suggest someone needs to "clean up" their behavior or attitude.
💋💄 (Kiss / Lipstick)	Can be used to mock someone's appearance or “trying too hard to look good.”
😹 (Laughing Cat)	Extra mocking or sarcastic version of 😂.
😮‍💨 (Exhaling Face)	“I’m over it” or “that’s exhausting”—can imply drama fatigue.
🔇 / 🤐 (Muted / Zipped Lips)	Someone’s been silenced or told not to talk. Often used in group bullying.
🧍‍♀️🧍 (Standing Person)	Mocking someone who’s awkward, isolated, or not "in" the group.
🫣 (Peek-A-Boo Face)	“Oops, I saw that” or subtle shade about someone else’s behavior.
🚪 (Door)	Telling someone to “leave” or “get out”—a form of digital exclusion.

⚠️ Important Tip for Parents:

Individually, these emojis may seem harmless. But when used repeatedly, in certain combinations, or in a pattern (like always targeting the same person), they can be a form of cyberbullying or digital exclusion.

💡 Keep an open conversation going with your child. Ask them:

• “What’s the meaning of this emoji in your group?”

• “Have you seen these being used in a mean way?”

• “How do you respond when someone sends these?”