Generations Divided: What Emojis Mean to Different Age Groups

Talking about emojis can reveal a lot about generational differences. Jo, who represents Gen Z, shares that their peers often use emojis ironically rather than literally. Trends in this group shift rapidly, which means they’re always adapting to what’s funny or relevant. Sam, a millennial, notes that young people use emojis more like punctuation or quick replies, whereas older folks often use them more straightforwardly.

How did Gen X fare? What about baby boomers when it came to emojis?

Ant from Gen X says he’s more likely to use emojis to respond to messages rather than starting with them. He notices that younger folks use them more often, while he prefers typing out his thoughts. Mike, a baby boomer, agrees with Ant, noting that older people usually don’t use emojis as much.

When asked about specific emojis, their responses varied:

😂 (Face with Tears of Joy) – Jo mentions it’s commonly used for humor. Sam highlights it as a quick, shorthand response. Ant sees it as a familiar emoji across ages, and Mike, though not specific, acknowledges its popularity among younger people.

💯 (Hundred Points) – Jo and Sam use it for emphasis or agreement. Ant uses it to respond to messages. Mike knows it exists but isn’t sure of its specific meaning.

🙌 (Raising Hands) – Jo and Sam note it’s used to celebrate or agree. Ant and Mike didn’t give specific interpretations.

The “melting face” emoji

Jo sees it as a sign of disdain or reluctance. Michael thinks it means being bothered. Em and Sam think it signals feeling overwhelmed. Ant is unsure, and Mike believes it relates to negative situations.

The “rolling on the floor laughing” emoji

Jo uses it ironically. Em would use it in formal settings to signal humor. Ant associates it with intense laughter, and Mike thinks it’s for something incredibly funny.

The “skull” emoji

Jo sees it as implying “I’m dead” or replacing “bruh.” Michael thinks it signals something stupid. Em says it’s for laughter or shock, while Sam relates it to embarrassment or shock. Ant and Mike might use it to indicate something toxic or about death.

The “loudly crying face” emoji

Jo and Michael link it to laughing at inappropriateness. Em says it’s for showing emotions like beauty. Sam uses it a lot, signaling happiness or feeling loved. Ant and Mike associate it with sadness.

The “exploding head” emoji

Jo associates it with sarcastic shock. Michael sees it as sarcasm. Em and Sam say it shows being mind-blown. Ant links it to feeling overwhelmed, and Mike thinks it shows confusion.

The “nail polish” emoji

Jo links it to queerness. Em sees it as something fancy. Sam associates it with queer identity. Ant thinks it’s about relaxation, and Mike associates it with diva behavior.

The “weary face” emoji

Jo uses it for reacting to attractiveness. Em and Sam say it’s for frustration. Ant uses it to convey regret, and Mike links it to sad news.

The “hot face” emoji

Michael uses it for sarcastic compliments. Em feels it shows being overwhelmed. Sam links it to sweating due to attractiveness. Ant and Mike think it means literal heat.

The “face with rolling eyes” emoji

Jo, Em, and Sam associate it with eye-rolling. Ant and Mike think it shows skepticism or confusion.

The “eyes” emoji

Jo hasn’t used it much. Em sees it for peeping. Sam says it shows curiosity, and Mike thinks it signifies incredulity.

The “smiling face with hearts” emoji

Jo thinks it can be used sarcastically. Em relates it to gratitude. Sam uses it for appreciation. Ant associates it with love or happiness, while Mike sees it in family interactions.

The “folded hands” emoji

Jo uses it for attraction or pleading. Em sees it as hopeful. Sam sees it as ‘please’. Ant finds it annoying, seeing it as blessings. Mike sees it as prayers.

The “face with raised eyebrow” emoji

Jo uses it for skepticism. Em uses it for disbelief. Sam uses it for suspicion. Ant sees it as skepticism, while Mike sees it as disbelief.

The “smirking face” emoji

Jo thinks it implies attractiveness. Michael thinks it’s sarcastic. Em thinks it’s mischievous. Sam thinks it’s for flirting. Ant and Mike aren’t sure.

Emoticons still trump emojis

Though emojis can be confusing, emoticons like 🙂 and 🙁 are generally understood. They’ve been used since the 1980s, long before emojis. A 2001 study showed that most people agree a happy face 🙂 means positivity, and a sad face 😦 means negativity. While emojis came from Japan in the 1990s, these simple emoticons have been helping us show emotions online for decades.