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Hidden meaning behind pill smartphone emoji used in Netflix's Adolescence

Home> Entertainment> TV

Updated 11:07 18 Mar 2025 GMTPublished 10:55 18 Mar 2025 GMT

Hidden meaning behind pill smartphone emoji used in Netflix's Adolescence

Viewers were left confused by the meaning of several emojis

Lucy Devine

Lucy Devine

If you've been watching Adolescence this week, you might have been left confused by some of the discussions around emojis and what they actually mean.

Who knew the different coloured hearts had various meanings?

Parents were especially quick to take note, after a scene in which DI Bascombe's son, Adam, helps him de-code some Instagram comments, which included a number of seemingly regular emojis with underlying meanings.

The series - which has proved to be a huge hit on Netflix and is sitting firmly in the number one spot - focuses on a 13-year-old boy named Jamie (played by first time actor, Owen Cooper) who is arrested in episode one and suspected of murdering classmate, Katie.

Adolescence follows the investigation around Katie's murder and the motive behind the heinous crime.

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Cooper stars alongside Stephen Graham, who plays his father, Eddie. Meanwhile, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty, and Faye Marsay also star.

Jamie is accused of murdering his classmate, Katie (Netflix)
Jamie is accused of murdering his classmate, Katie (Netflix)

As the police try to unravel what happened to Katie, and how her schoolmates are linked to her murder, Adam helps his dad understand a comment left on Jamie's Instagram page.

"The red pill is like 'I see the truth.' It's a call to action by the manosphere," he said.

"She's saying he's an incel dad. She's saying he always will be. That's why they say you're an incel, they're saying you're going to be a virgin forever."

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In the series, viewers see how Jamie has been influenced by misogynistic content online.

When Adam talks about the 'manosphere' he is referring to an online network of misogynistic communities, promoting ideas from anti-feminism and toxic masculinity.

'Incels' refers to a subculture of men who believe they are unable to form sexual or romantic relationships with women.

The red pill emoji is associated with someone sharing incel beliefs, meanwhile the '100' emoji is also said to be linked, with Adam telling his dad it references 'the 80 to 20 rule'.

"80 percent of women are attracted to 20 percent of men. Women, you must trick them because you'll never get them in a normal way," he said.

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People were shocked at the meaning behind the pill emoji (Getty Stock Image)
People were shocked at the meaning behind the pill emoji (Getty Stock Image)

People were quick to comment on how out of touch they are with the latest emoji meanings, with one viewer writing on X: "One thing I've noticed after watching #StephenGraham #Adolescence is I'm so behind the times! I never knew any behind the scene meanings of emojis amongst the younger generations. Think I'll just use my 5-6 regulars. If you ain't watched it your missing out! #5star."

Meanwhile, another added: "I had no idea the 'different' meanings of emojis. I only use a because I love the color purple. Nothing else. Nothing sexual, okay?"

You can watch Adolescence on Netflix now.

Featured Image Credit: Netflix

Topics: Netflix, Adolescence, Technology, Phones, Social Media

Lucy Devine
Lucy Devine

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