A nationwide survey suggests those who still use the “thumbs up” emoji in their texts and messages are officially over the hill, as it was voted the single uncoolest emoji by 16- to 29-year-olds. (24%).
Sending a red heart (22%), an “OK hand” (20%, or a “crying face” (16%), is also deeply old-fashioned and something a young person would never do, according to the poll.
According to the data, by research and insight agency Perspectus Global
, the average Brit sends a staggering 76 emojis every week, but some are now seen as seriously outdated.
In fact, 24% of the Gen Zs surveyed consider the “thumbs up” emoji to be old-fashioned and cringeworthy, while 17% said that the “check mark”, signifying ‘done’, is seriously uncool.
Other emojis that indicate you are clueless about modern culture are the poo emoji (also 17%), the “monkey with hands over face” emoji (15%) and the “clapping hands” emoji (10%).
Overall, the poll of 2,000 Brits found that the most popular emoji, across all ages, was the laughing face crying tears of joy (45%).
While the least popular symbol, again across all demographics, was the sinister skull and crossbones emoji (28% said it was their least favourite emoji).
It seems that emoji-mishaps are rife, as 78% of Brits admit they have innocently used a symbol (often repeatedly) before finding out it had a different, ruder meaning.
And using multiple emojis to make a text even clearer is commonplace, with 22% of people doing so in every message they send.
Evie Porter of Perspectus Global
said: “With the average Briton sending 76 emojis a week, across multiple platforms, it’s clear that these symbols are now a vital part of our daily communication – on both a personal and professional level.
“Yet this research indicates the importance of assessing which ones you use. Unless you want to be seen as old fashioned, it seems wise to avoid the thumbs up symbol.”
The study also found that gender differences exist when it comes to emoji use.
While 26 percent of British females said their favourite emoji was a smiley face with hearts round it, only 7 percent of males said the same.
And 28% of women said the emoji they liked using the best was the smiling face with hearts for eyes, compared to just 17% of men.
However, the research indicates that emoji use is now a very important tool for communication, with the majority of Brits (57%) claiming that an emoji (or string of emojis) can say a thousand words.
THE TEN EMOJIS THAT ONLY OLD PEOPLE USE (ACCORDING TO YOUNG PEOPLE)
Thumbs up 👍 – 24%
Red heart ❤️- 22%
Ok hand 👌 – 20%
Check mark ✔️ – 17%
Poo -💩17%
Loudly Crying Face 😭 16%
Monkey eye cover 🙈 15%
Clappy hands 👏 – 10%
Kiss mark 💋- 10%
Grimacing Face😬 – 9%