The True Meaning of Emojis: What Parents (and Not Only Them) Should Know

We live in an era where digital communication is an integral part of our daily lives. Between quick messages, social media and online posts, emojis have become a universal form of expression – small icons that represent emotions, objects, gestures and ideas. They are used by both young people and adults, often instinctively. However, many emojis hide less obvious meanings, which can vary depending on age, social group or even the culture of the person using them.

If you’re a parent, educator or simply someone curious about the digital language of the new generation, this article is for you. Let's explore some of the most common — and more unexpected — meanings that emojis can have.

The Visual Language of the Digital Generation

For many teenagers, emojis are more than just funny icons – they are a language of their own, filled with codes, irony, sarcasm and cultural references. And often, the same image can have completely different interpretations depending on the context. That’s why it’s important to be aware of how these symbols are used daily.

Emojis With "Hidden" Meanings

Below, we present a selection of popular emojis and their most common… and least expected meanings:

💀 Skull
Literally represents death, but among young people it’s used to say something is so funny that they “died laughing”.

😂 Face crying with laughter
One of the most used emojis ever, symbolising intense laughter. However, some younger generations already consider it “outdated”, preferring the skull (💀) or more ironic emojis.

🍆 Eggplant & 🍑 Peach
These may look innocent, but they are often used with a sexual connotation. The eggplant represents the male sexual organ and the peach the female organ or buttocks.

💦 Droplets
At first glance, it may look like sweat or water, but it’s often used to represent sexual arousal, especially when combined with the two emojis above.

🔥 Fire
Can indicate that something is “hot” or trending. Also used to say someone is “attractive” or that something is impactful.

😉 Wink
May appear as a friendly gesture, but often accompanies messages with double meaning or innuendos.

🙏 Hands together
Often interpreted as a prayer, but also used to thank, apologise or make a humble request.

👌 OK sign
Traditionally means everything is fine, but in some contexts or cultures it can be considered offensive or obscene.

👍 Thumbs up
Widely used to show approval, although among teens it may sound ironic or passive-aggressive, depending on tone.

😎 Face with sunglasses
Represents someone “cool”, relaxed or confident. Can be used seriously or sarcastically.

 

Emojis Evolve Over Time

It’s important to understand that the meaning of emojis is not static. They evolve over time, influenced by memes, social media trends and users' creativity. What was once harmless may now have a completely different meaning. Moreover, new emojis are frequently added to platforms, further expanding this “digital vocabulary”.

Emojis and the Risk of Misinterpretation

The use of emojis can enhance communication — but it can also cause misunderstandings. Imagine an adult sending the eggplant emoji to talk about cooking, without realising its sexual connotation. Or a teacher using 😂 without knowing students find it “cringe”. These examples show how intention does not always match interpretation.

What Parents Should Keep in Mind

✅ Open conversation: Talking to children about how they use emojis can be a way to open dialogue about other topics, such as friendships, relationships or even online safety.

✅ Avoid immediate judgment: A provocative emoji doesn’t always mean danger. It's essential to understand the context and the social environment of the young person.

✅ Stay informed: There are websites, guides and even digital dictionaries that help decode both the common and alternative meanings of emojis. Staying up to date can make a difference.
 

Conclusion

Emojis are part of contemporary digital language and are powerful tools to express emotions and ideas. However, it’s essential to be aware of the hidden meanings some of these symbols may carry, especially when used by teenagers. Whether you’re a parent, educator or simply a mindful user, understanding this language helps promote more conscious, safe and effective communication.

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If you enjoyed this article, share it with other parents or educators! And tell us: have you ever been surprised by an emoji you didn’t know had a hidden meaning?