A recent poll conducted by the Daily Mail has suggested that Gen Z, views the Thumbs Up emoji as ambiguous, passive aggressive, and rude. This interpretation isn’t uniform across all age demographics. However, the article has gotten me thinking about the emoji more generally, and whether it’s time to retire it from online learning environments altogether.

I note this, because what the article didn’t highlight, is the fact that giving a thumbs up gesture has long been considered to be an insult in many cultures. The online learning sphere is by nature an international space. Our learners may all reside in the same local, in a North American context, but our content may be viewed anywhere, and despite our safeguards, by anyone. As such, as educators, we should always aim to act from a global mindset. One which takes a variety of norms, symbols and images into consideration. This is my take. Agree, or disagree?