Emojis aren’t always harmless—some are being used by teens to mock, threaten or exclude peers. 🐍 might imply betrayal, 🍆 can reference sexual harassment, and 💀 may symbolize humiliation or mockery. While subtle, these symbols carry powerful emotional weight.
As the school year ends, students spend more unsupervised time online. These emojis often appear in TikTok comments, group chats, or Instagram posts as part of bullying tactics that go unnoticed by adults.
Recognize and act:
– Discuss emoji meanings in class: decoding builds media literacy.
– Watch for clustered emojis—multiple symbols together heighten meaning.
– Use classroom activities to decode emojis: show examples and discuss intent.
– Teach students to pause, screenshot, and talk—help them understand options like blocking or reporting.
To learn more: Emoji as Threats in Student Messages and Social Media – Cyberbullying Research Center