If someone used 🥑 in a text or on social media, I’d probably think it means “let’s get some avocado toast?” 🤷♀️ Teens use it to mean ‘basic’ – or something so trendy that it’s not cool anymore.
Being a parent is hard in this world of ours! Navigating kids’ social media and keeping up with the changing technology is a full-time job. I recently watched Netflix’s British psychological crime drama Adolescence, and it was an eye-opener for me 👀. (Apparently, 👀 is not what I think it means.)
The series highlighted that different generations use emojis very differently, and it plays out in the series.
So I did a little digging that I’m happy to share 💁♀️. Let’s dive into how each generation uses emojis, especially teens! 🎢
Emojis: Baby Boomers, Gen X and Millennials
For Baby Boomers, emojis are a bit like that vintage camera they dust off for special occasions—nice to have, but not something they’d use all the time. When they do use emojis, it’s often in the “old-school” way: to emphasize affection or punctuate a statement. A smiley face —they keep it basic.
Gen X and Millennials, who were the pioneers of digital communication, have embraced emojis in a more sophisticated way. They use them not just to add flair but to give their texts a bit of personality. For example, Millennials are all about using the crying-laughing emoji 😂 to signal a joke, or the eye-roll emoji 🙄 to indicate frustration.
Gen Z and Beyond: The Emoji Masters
Now, let’s talk about Gen Z, the true emoji connoisseurs. To them, emojis aren’t just cute symbols; they’re an entire language unto themselves. Emojis are shorthand for entire thoughts, jokes, and even moods. A skull emoji (💀) doesn’t just mean death; it signals that something is so funny, it’s “killing” them or they are “Dead, it’s so funny”. A snake emoji (🐍)? That’s for betrayal, obviously. And the blue heart emoji (💙)? It’s not just a color; it’s a vibe, a declaration of friendship or love. Emojis have become the cornerstone of Gen Z’s digital identity, used in ways that older generations may find baffling but that they totally understand.
Enter Adolescence, a series that zeroes in on the psychological complexities of teen life. It doesn’t shy away from depicting the way Gen Z uses emojis—often to communicate subtext and hidden meanings. For these teens, emojis are more than just digital shorthand; they’re the tools they use to convey everything from flirtation and friendship to fear and anger. A smiling skull might signal the thrill of a risky adventure, while a snake emoji could hint at the backstabbing of a close friend.
Decoding a Teen’s Emoji Vocabulary
Consider the teen who sends a seemingly innocuous text that reads, “Out with friends 💀“. In the hands of a Baby Boomer or even a Millennial, that might seem concerning. What does the skull mean? Is it a sign of danger or distress? In Gen Z’s world, however, the 💀 simply means “This is so fun, it’s killing me!” It’s a playful exaggeration of how much enjoyment they’re having, much like the way past generations would have used a laughing emoji.
Emojis have transcended their role as a quick, fun addition to texts. In the real world of Gen Z—these tiny icons are loaded with meaning. For teens today, emojis are often used to express complex feelings, shift social dynamics, and even to bully.
The language has evolved and continues to evolve. Just one more thing to keep up with! 😵💫
As a parent with kids in their 20s I don’t have to worry. They are off adulting, I just have different worries now. I do wonder, however, how will I communicate with my future grandkids? 🤯 I’ll start with baking 🍪!
✍️ Regina
The hidden meaning of emojis: a guide for parents
430+ Teen Slang, Emojis, & Hashtags Parents Need to Know (The Ultimate List)
