The Secret World of Emojis: Guide to the REAL Meaning of Puffer Fish, Aliens and Eggplant is published to alert parents to “drug and sexual behavior” clues
- Sussex Police have published a guide on what emojis used by children really mean
- The “Secret World of Emojis” shows how the symbols can be codes for sex or drugs
- The police issued the guide to raise awareness among parents
- Emojis – small symbols used to express emotions – have become a popular form of communication
Police have released a guide on what emojis could really mean when used by children – including “eyes” if they’re a drug dealer and a fish if they use cocaine.
The “Secret World of Emojis” shows the dark side of what the colorful symbols are used for – often code for drugs and sex.
The list of examples includes using strawberries, dogs, cherries, cake, ice cream, or leaves to refer to cannabis.
An eggplant or a peach can stand for sex and an alien or a mask for MDMA.
Sussex Police have released The Secret World of Emojis guide, which shows the dark side of what the colorful symbols are used for – often code for drugs and sex
An eggplant, a peach, and berries are just a few of the emojis that can relate to sex
A puffer fish, a gas pump, or a snowflake could represent cocaine use, while a fist or a rocket could represent how potent the substances are.
Emojis of a pair of eyes or a power cord could mean someone is a drug dealer – while a horse can mean ketamine and a balloon “NOS” – which refers to nitrous oxide sold in canisters.
Surrey Police have released the guide as part of a campaign to make parents more “emoji-aware”.
Det Ch Insp. Kate Hyder said, “We really want parents and guardians to feel safe to talk to their children about this if and when they need to.”
Emojis – small symbols that convey emotions – have become a popular means of communication for all ages.
But Surrey Police say there is a “secret world of emojis” – with “more worrying meanings”.
A puffer fish, a gas pump, or a snowflake could represent cocaine use, while a fist or a rocket could represent how potent the substances are
DARK CODE EMOJIES: DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY MEAN?
The new Sussex Police Guide The Dark Side of Emojis includes the following meanings:
Cannabis: strawberry, dog, cherries, cake, ice cream or leaves
Cocaine: Nose, Puffer Fish, Gas Pump, Snowman, or Snowflake
Sexting: peach, eggplant, water or berries
NOS (Canister Gas): Balloon
Ketamine: horse
Types of drugs: crystal, pill, syringe and cloud
Drug dealing: number eight billiard ball, eyes and pegs
Purity of Drugs: First Rocket, Flash, Fire or Bomb
The force said they have spent the last two weeks raising awareness as “some young people could use it [emojis] refer to drugs and sexual behavior”.
Det Ch Insp. Hyder added: “Our focus on this does not end with the end of this first campaign.
“We also recognize that emojis and their alternative meanings will continue to change, and as such our work and research on this will continue.”
And a Force statement said: “This is not a campaign beginning and ending within this two-week window.
“Instead, it’s about encouraging parents and guardians to have conversations with their children at a time that works for everyone involved.
“What is crucial in these talks is trust.
“We are very aware that checking phones could destroy that trust between a parent and their child and that is why we do not suggest it to parents.
“Instead, we want people to know what these emoji mean in case they do see them.”
Police added that while the emojis can have serious meaning, use alone does not necessarily mean a child is involved in drugs.
Instead, this can be viewed as part of a larger picture of behavior change, such as B. a mood change can be seen.