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Emoji Codes: The Secret Language of Youth and its Dangers!
Experts in Bad Oldesloe explain dangerous emoji codes that promote hatred on the Internet and endanger young people.
Emoji Codes: The Secret Language of Youth and its Dangers!
In the digital world, where platforms like Instagram, YouTube and TikTok employ strict filters against discriminatory content, there is a secret language: the “emoji codes”. These colorful symbols are used to spread prohibited content without the social network algorithms reacting to it. An alarming phenomenon that will be discussed at the VISION festival for digital media in Bad Oldesloe. Media educator Martin Oberwetter explains: “We will educate children and young people about dangerous emoji codes in order to protect them.”
The use of these codes is particularly common in certain communities where they signal belonging. According to KjR media educators Lina Samoske, Martin Oberwetter and Lena Saß, they are often used in connection with intimate or forbidden topics such as drug use or sexual content. This allows criminals to more easily access dangerous content without having to search for it directly. Emoji codes also serve as identification symbols and insults in right-wing extremist and anti-Semitic circles.
The Dangers of Emoji Codes
Media educators warn that these codes can lead to unwanted interactions, especially among young people and children. According to the Federal Ministry for Family, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ), almost every second person in Germany (49 percent) has experienced insults online. A quarter of those surveyed were confronted with physical violence and 13 percent experienced sexual violence. Emoji codes are contributing to the increase in hate online, which is why it's crucial to identify and report them.
With targeted education, these codes can be unmasked so that they no longer function as secret messages. However, media educators emphasize that the meaning of emojis can vary depending on cultural and social context. A shamrock, which symbolizes good luck for many, can have a completely different meaning in the context of Irish nationalism. It is therefore important to always take the overall context into account when interpreting emojis.