{"id":63931,"date":"2022-10-26T14:30:50","date_gmt":"2022-10-26T13:30:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=63931"},"modified":"2025-04-04T09:42:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T08:42:29","slug":"a-guide-to-emojis-and-texting-abbreviations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/a-guide-to-emojis-and-texting-abbreviations\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide to Emojis and Texting Abbreviations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Online communication enables us to send and receive information quickly, then respond almost instantly. Texts, instant messages, emails and social media posts or comments now form a large part of most people\u2019s personal and professional communication. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

These formats are generally short, and abbreviations and emojis have become a popular way to help convey messages quickly, or add tone or humour to a written message. However, emojis and abbreviations are forming a fast-growing hidden language amongst young people<\/strong> \u2013 of which many adults are completely unaware. This can bring a variety of complex safeguarding risks, so it is important that anyone who works with, or cares for, young people is aware of the potential hidden meanings of these messages.<\/p>\n\n\n

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In this article, we will look at some of the common alternative meanings for emojis, and some text abbreviations that might indicate a safeguarding risk. We have also produced a downloadable emoji guide<\/a> for parents and teachers, alongside an abbreviations download<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the Secret Emoji Language?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is certainly true \u2013 but it is not always clear which <\/em>words. Emojis have become a part of our everyday communication. Consider this scenario. You receive a text message which reads, \u2018I am having the best day.\u2019 Think about how your understanding of these words might change if they were followed by a star-struck or rolling eyes emoji. The words are exactly the same but the meaning has changed. A single emoji has conveyed whether those words should be taken at face value or not, and which emotion might lie behind them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As emojis have become more frequently used, a general shared vocabulary has built up (although as with all non-verbal communication there are likely to be cultural differences with regards to meaning). Generally, emoji use is usually based on quite literal interpretations. For example, you would use a \u2018thumbs-up\u2019 or a \u2018smile\u2019 in the same way as you would in in-person communication.<\/p>\n\n\n

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However, the secret emoji language refers to a shared understanding of hidden meanings<\/strong> \u2013 predominantly between teenagers and young people. Here emojis, or combinations of emojis, act as code. Young people have always used different slang to older generations who may not have always understood the terms. However the secret emoji language is often used with the intention of keeping those meanings hidden from adults.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adults may see a flurry of seemingly cute pictures pop up on a child\u2019s phone and not realise that they are potentially viewing racist comments, a drug deal, a sexual proposition or online bullying. The double meaning can also allow deniability if questioned \u2013 for example, a child sending a picture of a frog (which can mean ugly) to taunt a peer could claim they were simply sending a fun picture, if challenged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Emojis Symbols List<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We have produced a visual guide to the hidden meaning of some of the most commonly used emojis which you can download here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Warning: This PDF contains references to self-harm, drug use and sexual activity.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n

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