Police are urging parents to stay alert to hidden meanings in emojis, especially the horse emoji—now linked to ketamine, a powerful horse tranquilizer. A new guide reveals children are using everyday symbols as secret codes for drugs and dangerous online ideologies.
Netflix’s Adolescence highlights how young people are influenced by the “manosphere”—a digital movement promoting misogyny and far-right views. The show follows a 13-year-old boy arrested for a violent attack, illustrating how “red pill” beliefs can escalate. “The red pill is like ‘I see the truth.’ It’s a call to action by the manosphere,” says a character.
Dr. Robert Lawson explains, “In the manosphere, those who have been ‘red-pilled’ see the world as it really is.”
The show also decodes symbols like the dynamite emoji (an incel reference), the “100” emoji (linked to the ‘80/20 rule’), and the kidney bean emoji (used to label others as incels).
Police guides also warn that emojis like snowflakes, aliens, or fruit may signal cocaine, MDMA, or cannabis use. Parents are urged to stay informed, as emojis can hide dangerous meanings.
