I got my kid “Ian” a smartphone when he was three years old. Three buttons were on it: “Call Mom,” “Call Dad,” and “Call Grandma.” Even though he was young, knowing that he could get in touch with us in an emergency made us feel better.
Your partner, parent, or child might not always be able to make phone calls. Alternatively, even worse, they can be texting with someone watching over their shoulder. At such point, a hidden emoji might come in handy.
It’s a way to ask for help quickly and you can do this without alerting anyone, unlike if you made a phone call. I’ve shared this with my family, too, so we’re all on the same page.
Why an emoji?
These little images are worth a thousand words, especially if they’re part of an inside joke with family and friends.
In an emergency, an emoji is a lot less conspicuous than a word or phrase. If your kiddo can’t call you or someone’s watching them text, an emoji can serve as the perfect (private) distress signal.
Which should you pick?
Make sure it’s easy to remember – but not one your family usually uses in conversation. That’s going to cause unnecessary confusion and concern. Don’t use commonly used emojis, like hearts or smiley faces.
Here are 10 emojis that could be used as a secret signal in case of an emergency:
🐙 Octopus
🦒 Giraffe
🦄 Unicorn
🍄 Mushroom
🌋 Volcano
🦉 Owl
🎠 Carousel horse
🛰️ Satellite
🎏 Carp streamer
🛎️ Bellhop bell
How to have the talk
Don’t just mention this in passing. Have a formal sit-down to discuss the plan. Make sure everyone knows your family emoji should only be used in emergencies – no funny business.
Explain which responses anyone should expect from you if they use it. When they send you the emoji, will you follow up with a phone call? If so, what will you say?
🦒 Let’s say your teen texts you the giraffe
He went to a party at a friend’s house. Things there are making him uncomfortable. He wants to leave. You can text him back the giraffe, which means you’re on your way to get him.
If you don’t know where he is, look him up on the Find My app (Apple) or Family Link app (Android). Depending on the situation, you may want to consider contacting the authorities or reaching out to other trusted adults nearby.
What about your parents? They can text you an emoji if a caregiver is less than caring and can’t talk around that person. Make it a point to revisit your plan every three months. Set up a family meeting once or twice a year to review so it becomes natural in a real emergency.
