The emoji effect

As many as 88% Gen Zs can't do without emojis while communicating

- VAISHALI DAR

In today's hyper-connected world, emojis have become more than just playful icons. They are a language of the digital age, from sharenting to emoji-inspired scenes in films; the tiny symbols are reshaping how we express emotion, identity, and workplace culture.

A recent survey by Atlassian, an Australian-American software company, in collaboration with global online community YouGov, revealed that a staggering 88% of Gen Z professionals find emojis valuable in work conversations.

The survey polled 10,000 knowledge workers across India, the US, Australia, France, and Germany, underscoring the generational divide in perceptions of emoji use.

While Gen Z readily embraces them, less than half of Gen X and Boomers agree they belong in a professional context.

With Gen Z set to make up nearly half of India's workforce by 2035 and a group raised on smartphones, emojis aren't just symbols; they're a vital extension of intent, warmth, and meaning in messages.