Why tech experts are urging all parents to have a ‘secret emoji’ with their children

If you have children, it’s important to talk about emergencies beforehand.

A big part of the plan should be how they warn you if they’re in danger when you’re not around.

Most kids have a phone in their pocket, but there may be situations where your child can’t make a call…or worse, someone may be looking over their shoulder when they’re texting. That’s when a secret emoji could save the day.

In an emergency, an emoji is less noticeable than a word or phrase, which could signal someone else if your child calls for help.

If your child can’t call you or someone is looking at them, an emoji can serve as the perfect distress signal.

When choosing the best secret emoji, make sure it’s easy to remember, but not one that your family usually uses a lot.

That could cause unnecessary confusion and probably some inconvenience. You should also avoid commonly used emojis such as hearts or smiley faces.

Animal emojis are great options, especially the more exotic ones. Take the octopus, for example.

That little guy isn’t a common emoji, but it’s easy for the whole family to remember.

Picking out a secret emoji may seem like a quick task, but it’s important to have a formal family meeting with your kids to discuss the plan.

Drive home to the point that it should only be used in an emergency. No funny business.

You should also explain what reactions your children can expect from you when they use it.

For example, if they send you the emoji, do you follow up with a phone call? If so, what will you say?

A good suggestion is to call your child immediately and tell them to come home as soon as possible.

Depending on what’s going on, other steps you can take as a parent include contacting authorities or reaching out to trusted adults in the area.

Once you’ve chosen your secret emoji and discussed the plan with your kids, make it a point to revisit it on a regular basis.

Organize a family gathering once or twice a year to discuss so that in a real emergency it becomes a matter of course.

This is not only a good idea for small children. Your middle-aged teen or child may find themselves in a difficult situation and need help, without alerting everyone around them that they are uncomfortable.

Here are the key points for building a secret emoji plan with your family. You can even use this as a guide for your family gathering.

● A secret emoji is a great alternative to a standard emergency call or text message. It is less clear to perpetrators and gets the message across quickly.

● Choose an emoji that you and your family don’t use on a regular basis, but don’t choose anything too obscure. Animals are great.

● Once you’ve chosen a secret emoji, sit down with your kids and discuss the plan. Mention the actions you take if they ever need to use it.

● Review your secret emoji plan regularly. Swap the emoji if you notice that someone is actually using your chosen emoji for other purposes.

It is so important to be prepared for emergencies. It’s a smart idea to add a secret emoji to your family’s overall safety plan.