Heads Up Parents – These are Secret Emoji Codes Your Teens are Probably Using

Parents, did you know there's a whole secret language out there that our kids are using, using emoji's? What might seem like cute and innocent texting amongst friends, might mean something completely different, and shocking to you.

For instance: Do you know the meaning of this emoji? I’ll give you a hint…it’s not a good thing.

To most of us, it's just a set of eyes, but to your teenagers those eyes have a much different meaning. Those eyes could mean they want them to send naked pictures.

Another innocent looking text could have a fox emoji followed by a face with a zipper across the mouth… that might mean “I want you to sneak out and don’t tell your parents”.

Emojis of certain fruits can also reference sex, and body parts. The list goes on and on.

Experts say it might be a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the meanings of these emojis, saying some kids also use secret emoji codes to cyber bully and even more dangerous, sexual predators can use them as a way to communicate with minors.

In the video below, one reporter asks a younger one if she's ever heard or seen the meaning behind some of these emoji's, and she's just as surprised as you probably are:

I'm still pretty young at 35, but even I have to admit that I'm getting more and more out of touch by the day with today's youth. If I didn't have my younger sisters-in-law to translate some things for me, I swear I wouldn't be able to do my job on the air some days because I wouldn't know what I'm talking about - and that includes a story like this.

Thankfully I won't have to worry about stuff like this for several years with my daughter, but maybe it’s time to talk to your kids about emojis that they and their friends might be using... and that includes acronyms. But let's just focus on one thing at a time.

There are apps and websites that can also help you navigate emoji codes and dictionaries, including HERE and HERE.