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No One Under Eighteen Symbol
noh wuhn uhn-der ay-teen
Definitions
1
Warning ยท Restriction
Common
Indicates content is restricted to adults aged 18 and over. Used to mark mature, explicit, or age-inappropriate material not suitable for minors.
Commonly used before sharing adult content or links to warn viewers about age-restricted material.
Just a reminder that this account posts ๐ content occasionally.
Social media bio/profile
Sharing this link but warning you it's ๐ material.
Messaging app
Functions as a digital content warning across social media platforms, particularly for sexual, violent, or otherwise mature content.
2
Entertainment ยท Media
Common
Indicates media content with an 18+ or adult rating, such as movies, games, or other entertainment with mature themes.
Used when discussing or recommending adult-rated entertainment to warn about content suitability.
This game is definitely ๐ - lots of violence and adult themes.
Gaming discussion
Serves as a shorthand for content ratings across different media types, replacing longer text warnings.
Evolution Timeline
2010
Emoji introduced primarily as a Japanese symbol for age restriction on content.
Growing need for content warnings in digital spaces
2015
Adoption spread globally as shorthand for adult content warnings across social platforms.
Rise of content moderation policies on major platforms
2018
Became widely used in creator bios and profiles to signal adult content creation.
Growth of adult content creators on mainstream platforms
Cultural Context
Functions as a digital boundary marker in online spaces, creating adult-only zones within otherwise all-ages platforms.
Has evolved beyond its original warning function to serve as metadata that helps users filter content and creators signal their audience type.
Interpretation varies by culture - in some regions it strictly indicates pornographic content, while in others it covers violence, strong language, or mature themes.
Regional Variations
United Kingdom
Associated with BBFC '18' certificate for films and '18' PEGI rating for games.
United States
Often associated with the MPAA 'R' or 'NC-17' ratings for films and 'M' or 'AO' for video games.
Generational Usage
Gen_X: Used more sparingly and typically for explicit sexual content rather than general mature themes.
Gen_Z: Used matter-of-factly to tag content; often appears in TikTok/Twitter bios to signal adult creator accounts.
Older: Less frequently used; older generations tend to use text warnings rather than this emoji.
Millennials: Commonly used as a courtesy warning before sharing links or media in group chats and social media.
Common Combinations
๐โ ๏ธ
Strong warning about explicit or disturbing adult content
Used for content that might be especially graphic or shocking
๐๐ฎ
Adult-only video game or gaming content
Used when discussing mature-rated games or adult gaming content
๐๐ฌ
Adult-only film or video content
Used when discussing explicit movies or videos
๐๐
Content locked behind age verification
Indicates content requires age verification to access