Pick a screen, any screen, and chances are someone is deep in a text conversation. While phone calls are still around, texting has become the go-to means of communication across generations. Where words fall short, emojis step in.
People around the world use them more than 10 billion times a day, with eight out of 10 regularly incorporating them into their digital conversations.
Emoji use is on the rise
A study published Wednesday, July 2, in the journal PLOS One found that emoji use is on the rise, with women and younger users relying on them more frequently than men and older adults. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin describe emojis as digital representations of emotions and ideas that bring more life and feeling to plain text.
The study examined 260 adults aged 23 to 67. Each participant read 15 made-up text conversations, some of which included emojis and some of which did not. Researchers asked them to imagine themselves as the person sending the messages and to focus on how the replies came across. Messages that included emojis consistently grabbed more attention and felt more engaging. The inclusion of an emoji made the exchange stand out.
Emojis help us connect
From a smiley face to a thumbs-up or even a slice of pizza, these tiny icons have become a fast, familiar way to say what’s on your mind. Face emojis, whether a quick grin, a wink or even the classic facepalm, are a go-to for showing how we feel. Much like bold text or ALL CAPS, researchers say they’re an efficient way to signal, ”Hey, I really mean this.”
Researchers refer to this as “metacommunication,” the process by which emojis help add emotion and clarity to our messages. And in a world where more and more of our conversations happen online or from behind a screen, that emotional boost can go a long way.
The study notes that this idea dates back to the early days of computer chats. Scholar Joseph Walther helped develop what is now known as computer-mediated communication, or CMC. His theory? That online messages can carry just as much meaning as face-to-face conversations. People quickly learn to pick up on tone, intention and vibe through whatever digital clues are available – like, for instance, emojis.
Walther later developed the Hyperpersonal Model, which suggests that online communication may actually be more effective in building connections. He theorized that without body language and tone, we become more intentional in our communication. We think more carefully about what we say, and emojis step in to help us fill in the blanks.
The brain loves a quick image
A single emoji can say more than a whole sentence, and the study found that the brain loves it. Scientists say we can recognize an image in just 13 milliseconds, which makes emojis a quick and easy shortcut for expressing our feelings, especially when we don’t have the perfect words to convey our emotions. Research also shows that emojis activate brain responses similar to those during an in-person conversation.
The real power of tiny icons
Even in a divided world, researchers have found that emojis are one thing on which most people agree. Although their meanings can vary across cultures, emojis are still widely understood and recognized. That’s why the Unicode Consortium, the group that approves new emojis, regularly updates the lineup to reflect what people want and need.
Emojis can sometimes miss the mark, however, especially in texts that are already a little hard to read. Sarcasm, mixed signals or even the wrong heart color can lead to confusion.
Still, the study found that emojis often make messages feel more thoughtful, friendly and emotionally in sync. Face emojis had the strongest effects, helping boost feelings of closeness and satisfaction in the conversation. Non-face emojis still worked, but they were more about setting the scene than showing emotion.
Researchers acknowledge the possible shortcomings of the study, including that the messages weren’t based on real-life conversations or situations between friends or loved ones.
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Author: Alan Judd
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