The smiley emoji, once a universal symbol of joy, is now seen differently by Gen Z, often perceived as sarcastic or passive-aggressive. Young individuals, like intern Hafeezat Bishi, feel that the emoji conveys a 'side-eye smile' rather than genuine enthusiasm, leading to misunderstandings in communication with older generations. Experts suggest that older users see emojis at face value, while younger ones have developed an entirely new interpretation. This generational gap highlights a broader misunderstanding of digital language across age groups, affecting interpersonal connections.
"I had to remember they are older, because I use it sarcastically," Bishi said, explaining that she often views the emoji as conveying a 'side-eye smile' rather than genuine enthusiasm.
"People over 30 tend to use emoji according to their dictionary," Dhawan told the Journal, emphasizing that for Gen Z, emoji meanings have evolved into a whole new lexicon.
"It's far from an exhaustive list, but it's based on common emojis used to say something very different to what you'd think," Kalley wrote on Instagram, highlighting emojis' covert language.
What seems friendly to older folks can come off as phony or even biting to the younger crowd, demonstrating the disconnect between generations.
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