Emoji and their meaning
Emojis are an integral part of Netflix's new miniseries, "Adolescence," which has quickly gained attention from audiences and critics, offering an in-depth look at the challenges of adolescence in the digital age. The story follows Jamie, a 13-year-old accused of murdering his classmate Katie, exploring complex themes such as the influence of social media, bullying, sexism and misogyny, and joining dangerous online subcultures.
"Adolescence" highlights how digital platforms have given rise to new forms of expression, often incomprehensible to adults, which can convey ambiguous or dangerous messages. The series shows how specific emojis can take on hidden meanings within certain online communities. One example is the red bean emoji, which in the narrative is used to identify an individual as an "incel" (involuntary celibate), demonstrating how even seemingly innocuous symbols can have darker and more alarming connotations.
This reflection is intertwined with another very current theme: the "manosphere". This term defines a set of digital communities that spread macho and misogynistic ideologies, often in strong opposition to feminist movements. Within this network, "incels" represent a particularly problematic subgroup, as they often channel their frustration and sense of isolation into attitudes of resentment and, sometimes, into incitements to violence against women. "Adolescence" tells how Jamie, in search of belonging and answers, is progressively absorbed by these ideologies, underlining the risks that these communities can represent for the most vulnerable young people.
In short, "Adolescence" gets people talking because it is effectively an important educational resource that invites us to reflect on the influence of online languages and subcultures on young people, underlining the need for an open and conscious dialogue to guide them through the challenges of adolescence.
