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New iOS Emoji Icons released: How diversity and etiquette ties it all together

Tami Lancut Leibovitz

12 April 2015

Who would believe that new Emoji icons being released, will one day be part of the headline news?

The new update for iOS, Apple’s operation system, is not just news, its exciting news for many mobile users that been following the updates since Apple first plan for the new Emoji, emerged.

**Image by Washingtonpost.com**

The new initiative, that actually started by an African App company that was questioning Apple about their white-only emoji policy, is adding diversity to one of the most popular technologies and devices in the world – the mobile industry. After Apple pledged to support and facilitate the cause, celebrities like Miley Cyrus soon made it trending on Tweeter and millions signed different petitions online on the subject.

What emoji icons got a face lift?

Starting today and following an iOS update, the male and female faces and thumbs up/down icons will be available in an “Asian” and “Black” version, in six different skin tones. More emoji characters, such as the princesses and the construction workers, will embrace diversity as well.

How will it work?

The Emoji will be all “Yellow” just like tiny Lego people, until the mobile user chooses a color for the Emoji, a color that the system will recognize and save. Real dermatologists were actually used in creating the different tones.

Tapping and holding on an emoji person will define the new skin-tone variety.

How does etiquette got to do with it?

The objectors for the emoji color change, stating that it will add racial tension to an already tensed racial situation in society.

On the other hand, this objection should be dismissed in my opinion. Apple is receiving positive reviews and feedbacks from many markets and cultures that were not represented before, feeling like their voice, and skin-tone, has been heard and seen. And that’s the real proof for the significance of this minor but great change.

With that being said, the new icons defy us with interesting challenges and raises the question –

Do we have to racially connect our emoji to the person who we refer to in the text or chat? And if so, is not doing so can be offensive to anyone?

First of all, it depends who you are talking to:

In a business SMS conversation or on a business WhatsApp/IM chat, it’s better to avoid faces and people emoji icons anyway. If you must show your excitement, sadness etc. through an Emoji, choose a standard smiley face and don’t overdo it, one is more than enough.

When talking to your friends and using Emoji, be alert to your more-sensitive and easily-offended friends. If you guys are really friends, you already know who those are! You can ask them about it, especially if you guys are from different races or cultures and NEVER, EVER mock their feelings about it, even if you don’t see eye to eye.

What else is new and exciting in the new Emoji world?

• The faces are not the only thing celebrating culture in the new Emoji, 32 new flags are now available, including my resident country – Israel.
• The current illustrated icons include same-sex couples, but the new one will have more diverse options for representing same-sex couples and multi-cultural families.
• The secret icon for the new iOS is actually a Vulcan hand gesture, known and made for avid star trek fans only and can only be downloaded separately! What a geeky treat!

My last etiquette tip about Emoji’s for today is a message to all of us, constant technology users - Sometimes you just need to give up the Emoji faces and send your family, loved ones or colleagues more than a yellow smiley with a smooch sign. Bring power back to the kind words, try some honest words that will touch their heart

**Image by Washingtonpost.com**