Netflix’s four-part series Adolescence has quickly become one of the most talked-about crime thrillers, largely due to its raw exploration of teenage internet culture, radicalisation, and the dangers of miscommunication in the digital age. The plot follows Jamie Miller (played by Owen Cooper), a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering his classmate Katie, after being radicalised by online misogynistic and incel ideologies. One of the most revealing elements of the series is the use of emojis—seemingly innocuous symbols that carry a layered and dangerous subtext when decoded within teen subculture and extremist online communities.
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A turning point in the investigation arrives in episode two, when DI Luke Bascombe (played by Ashley Walters) realises he has misinterpreted a series of Instagram comments left by Katie on Jamie’s profile. Initially, the emojis appear flirtatious or friendly, but his son Adam (Amari Bacchus) deciphers their true meaning—revealing a coded language of rejection, warning signs, and references to online radical ideology. Below is a complete breakdown of what each emoji represents in the context of Adolescence and the wider digital culture it reflects.
More than emojis: Netflix’s Adolescence reveals how teens really talk
The Red Pill Emoji ��
The red pill emoji is one of the most important symbols in Adolescence. Adam explains that this emoji refers to a concept rooted in the “manosphere,” a loosely connected network of websites and online forums that promote traditional masculinity and often perpetuate misogyny. The term “red pill” originates from the 1999 film The Matrix, where taking the red pill means awakening to the harsh truth of reality.
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In the manosphere, however, “red-pilling” signifies an ideological awakening to supposed “truths” about gender roles and male dominance, often rejecting feminism and progressive gender norms. In Adolescence, Katie uses this emoji to label Jamie as someone who has bought into these toxic ideologies.
Dynamite Emoji ��
The dynamite emoji in the series represents an "exploding red pill," suggesting a more extreme evolution of the red-pill mindset. When Katie comments using both the red pill and the dynamite emoji, she’s not just suggesting that Jamie is radicalised—she’s warning that he is a danger to others due to his internalised hatred and toxic beliefs.
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This specific use signifies an individual who has moved beyond passive consumption of misogynistic ideas and is potentially acting on them—a critical insight in the storyline that reframes how the audience and investigators perceive Jamie's motives.
100 Emoji ��
Adam references the 100 emoji while explaining the so-called “80/20 rule,” an often-cited statistic within incel forums that claims 80% of women are attracted to only 20% of men. This pseudoscientific theory feeds into a widespread belief among incels that most men are systematically excluded from dating and intimacy.
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In the context of Katie’s Instagram comment, the 100 emoji is not a symbol of approval or enthusiasm, as commonly interpreted. Instead, it reinforces the label of “incel” by suggesting Jamie fits into this 80% of “undesirable” men and will likely remain involuntarily celibate for life. It marks him as socially and romantically isolated.
Heart Emojis ❤️��������
One of the most eye-opening segments of the scene comes when Adam decodes the range of heart emojis used by Katie, each with its own specific meaning:
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- Red Heart ❤️ – Represents love or genuine affection.
- Purple Heart �� – Indicates sexual desire or attraction.
- Yellow Heart �� – Suggests cautious interest, akin to saying "I'm interested, are you?"
- Pink Heart �� – Shows interest, but explicitly not in a sexual context.
- Orange Heart �� – A symbol of reassurance, implying “You’re going to be fine.”
These subtle variations show how young users use emojis not just as emotional decoration, but as a highly nuanced, coded language. Katie’s comment string, when understood through this lens, becomes an emotionally layered message—deliberately complex and perhaps even a warning.
Kidney Bean Emoji ��
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The kidney bean emoji, though seemingly random, is also revealed to be part of this secret digital lexicon. According to Adam, it functions as a symbol of incel identity—used to self-identify or label someone else within that category.
This symbol may derive from or be related to the “coffee bean” meme often circulated in incel spaces on platforms like Reddit and 4Chan. These memes are typically misogynistic and dehumanising, making the use of the bean emoji particularly disturbing. In Adolescence, it signals that Jamie is part of, or seen as part of, this fringe community.
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Why these emoji meanings matter
The significance of this emoji code lies in its ability to mask complex, and sometimes dangerous, ideologies under the guise of normal teenage social interaction. For adult characters in the show—particularly law enforcement—these messages appear benign or even affectionate. But within the social framework of Adolescence, they are red flags that go unrecognised until it's too late.
By embedding this coded language in the storyline, Adolescence highlights the communication gap between generations and the often invisible networks of radicalisation that can flourish online. It also underscores how symbols can be weaponised—used to shame, isolate, or identify individuals as part of controversial subcultures.