Why parents should be immediately alert if they find these emojis in their children’s phone

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In the digital age, emojis aren’t just fun symbols—they’ve become a language of their own. For kids and teens, these tiny icons can carry meanings far beyond their innocent appearance.

While most parents might assume a horse emoji means a love for ponies or a snowflake might represent winter, authorities are now warning that emojis are being used as secret codewords in online conversations and sometimes they might have dangerous implications.

Netflix’s hit drama Adolescence has brought renewed attention to this issue, showcasing how emojis can be part of a hidden language used by online communities. The show follows a young boy drawn into the toxic world of the “manosphere,” where emojis like the 💊 pill, 💥 dynamite, and 🫘 kidney bean symbolize radical ideologies.

But while Adolescence sheds light on these dangers, the problem goes beyond one show—police and drug enforcement agencies have flagged even more emojis being used to discuss and sell illegal drugs.

The secret meaning behind emojis

Authorities have identified a troubling trend: emojis are being used in coded conversations about drugs. According to reports from Surrey Police and the DEA, certain symbols have been linked to illegal substances. These aren’t just random choices—many of them reference the street names of popular drugs, making it harder for parents and even law enforcement to catch on.

Here are some of the most concerning emoji codes being used today:

🐴 Horse – Ketamine, a strong tranquilizer often abused as a party drug.
❄️ Snowflake / ⛄ Snowman – Cocaine, commonly referred to as “snow.”
👽 Alien / ☠️ Skull / 👺 Demon Mask – MDMA (Ecstasy or “Molly”).
🍁 Maple Leaf / 🌳 Tree / 🍀 Four-Leaf Clover – Marijuana and cannabis products.
🎂 Cake / 🍦 Ice Cream / 🍋 Lemon / 🍒 Cherries – Edibles or cannabis-infused products.
🐟 Fish / 🐡 Blowfish – Cocaine, referencing its street name “blow.”
🔌 Plug – A drug dealer (someone who can “hook you up”).

What parents can do to protect their kids

There are steps parents can take to stay informed and protect their kids from falling into dangerous online spaces.

1. Stay informed

It’s crucial to keep up with evolving online slang and emoji meanings. Law enforcement agencies frequently update lists of concerning emojis, and following these reports can help parents recognize potential warning signs.

2. Talk to the kids

While keeping a healthy check on their activities is necessary, it might be more helpful if parents create an environment for their kids where they feel safe to talk about things. Parents can always ask their children about what platform they are active on, which will not only prompt conversations but will also help in maintaining surveillance.

3. Set digital boundaries

Use parental controls on devices and social media apps to restrict access to potentially harmful content. Apple’s Screen Time and Google’s Family Link allow parents to set limits on app usage and filter explicit material.

4. Understand their online world

Social media is ever evolving, with trends changing every hour. It is important for a parent in the digital age to learn about new apps, trends and famous apps so that they can spot danger easily.

5. Encourage critical thinking

Teach kids to question what they see online. Whether it’s drug references hidden in emojis or radical ideologies disguised as self-help, young users should be equipped with the tools to think critically and avoid manipulation.