Amit Kalley, the founder of For Working Parents, warns parents of the secret meanings behind smartphone emojis that could be used by children to convey potentially dangerous messages. He points out that the unregulated internet can pose risks for children, especially in light of the Netflix series “Adolescence,” which focuses on a teen boy who uses secretive emojis and gets arrested for murdering his classmate. Kalley’s “periodic table of emojis” highlights the double meanings of innocent emojis that can be used by teens to send secretive messages involving drugs, NSFW content, and offensive ideologies.
Some examples from Kalley’s table include the use of snowflakes, 8-balls, and snowmen to symbolize cocaine, and trees, leaves, and branches to represent marijuana. Emojis like the flame, sweating face, and devil symbolize lust, while brain and tongue emojis can suggest oral sex. Genitalia emojis like eggplants, hot dogs, cherries, and peaches are used to indicate different genders, and the donut emoji can signify anal sex. The meanings behind emojis like guns, knives, and the skull face are more straightforward, while symbols like the apple, bean, bill, and numbers can suggest ideologies like incel, Neo-Nazi, and anti-woman.
Kalley’s table has gained popularity and has been adopted by schools and police forces in the UK, with one college urging people to educate themselves on these “dark emojis.” Kalley stresses the importance of parents staying informed about the rapidly changing language of emojis and acronyms that children use online to engage in harmful behaviors, as they can use these symbols to hide their activities from adults. He emphasizes the need for parents to have open and ongoing conversations with their children about the online world and to ask the right questions to ensure safety and understanding.
In response to the increasing use of emojis to convey hidden meanings, Kalley’s efforts to raise awareness about the issue have been recognized by various institutions and communities. By shedding light on the potential dangers of secret emoji messages, Kalley hopes to empower parents to effectively monitor their children’s online activities and protect them from harmful influences. The widespread adoption of his table by educational and law enforcement organizations reflects the urgency of addressing the hidden communication methods that young people are using to engage in illicit activities and dangerous behaviors.
The impact of media representation, such as the Netflix series “Adolescence,” has brought attention to the dangers of hidden messaging through emojis and has prompted action from concerned individuals like Kalley. Through his work with For Working Parents and the creation of the emoji periodic table, he aims to equip parents with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the challenges of modern technology and protect their children from potential risks. As technology continues to evolve, ongoing vigilance and communication about online safety are crucial for safeguarding children in an increasingly digital world.
