Adolescent Emoji Use in Text-Based Messaging: Focus Group Study Background: Adolescents increasingly use text-based message platforms to communicate with both parents and peers. Users of such platforms often use emojis to communicate nonverbal information about message intentions or tone, but interpretation of emojis can generate confusion. This may exacerbate existing sources of miscommunication between adolescents and parents. Objective: We aimed to better understand how adolescents choose and interpret emojis used in text communication. Methods: We conducted online focus groups with adolescents, in which we asked questions about the use and interpretation of emojis. We then followed a constant comparative coding procedure to identify themes in the discussion. Results: We conducted 5 focus groups with 31 adolescent participants (mean age = 16.5, SD = 1.5). Discussion in the groups generally fell into four themes: (1) rejection of emojis to communicate emotion, (2) emojis as having context-dependent meanings, (3) emojis as meaningless and/or absurd, and (4) emoji use to communicate sincere emotion. Across themes, participants often described important differences between their own emoji use and emoji use by adults. Conclusions: Adolescents described their own emoji use as complex, absurd, and often infused with irony or sarcasm. These differences are an important consideration for parents and other adults who communicate with adolescents through text-based messaging platforms or who observe communication between adolescents on such platforms. We recommend that parents be cautious when interpreting emojis sent by adolescents, particularly when those emojis are sent in the context of adolescent-to-adolescent communication.

JMIR Formative Res: Adolescent Emoji Use in Text-Based Messaging: Focus Group Study #AdolescentCommunication #EmojiUse #TextMessaging #DigitalCommunication #NonverbalCommunication

Emotionally intelligent women use more emojis when communicating with friends Women with higher emotional intelligence use more emojis with friends, while men with higher emotional intelligence use more emojis with romantic partners, with overall emoji use influenced by attachment styles and gender

Women with higher emotional intelligence use more emojis with friends, while men with higher emotional intelligence use more emojis with romantic partners, with overall emoji use influenced by attachment styles… #EmotionalIntelligence #WomenEmpowerment #CommunicationSkills #EmojiUse #Relationships

Adding emojis into your text messages or emails can lighten up the conversation and make the tone more informal. Here's how it's done. 😊📱

Learn more here: cyberguy.com/tech-tips-tricks/emojis-...

#TextTips #EmojiUse