For parents of teens and tweens who use text messaging with any frequency, it can be tough to figure out whether or not the content of their messages is appropriate when so much of the conversation consists of tiny pictures and smiley faces. While many of these images (known as emojis) can be perfectly innocent, some kids are using them as a means to engage in sexually graphic communication right under their parents’ noses.
To help you understand when you should worry about emojis showing up in your children’s text messages, here’s a handy cheat sheet of some of the more common emojis used for sexting:
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These symbols are commonly used to represent male and female genitalia. When grouped together they are often meant to stand for sexual intercourse.
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The repetition of these and other similar images suggests oral sex.
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This zodiac symbol is a subtle way to represent simultaneous sexual stimulation (typically referred to “69”). Other, more obvious variants pair this symbol with male or female characters.
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Various forms of masturbation or sexual touching are suggested by these combinations of emojis.
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Unfortunately, it’s not possible to create an exhaustive guide to every possible emoji or combination of emojis used for sexting, but just knowing the basics can help parents decipher the meaning or context of their children’s conversations and determine when intervention is needed. Keeping the lines of communication open is critical to helping teens and tweens to use their phones and devices appropriately, and to avoid situations where a relationship or encounter may not be in their best interests.