Emojis, known as the universal language of the digital age, are becoming less and less used today by teens. More new-age abbreviations are being used.
Terms like “LOL” (laugh out loud), “BRB” (be right back), and “OMG” (oh my god) have been part of internet language for years. But now, more abbreviations such as “ILYSM” (I love you so much), “FTW” (for the win), and “OFC” (of course) are here — and more and more are coming.
Now teens think that abbreviations are much easier to convey a message than emojis. “Emojis have been expanded slightly to also replace words, which is handy when you have character limits. But either way, they’re fairly one-dimensional and constrained,” says Lifelong Literacy clinical director Lyn Stone. This means that you really can’t say anything clear with emojis. For example, if I wanted to say, “oh my god”, I would just type OMG. But in emojis, I would probably have to type 😦🫢👆😲 or something like that. “Abbreviated words – and abbreviated phrases like ‘BTW’ and ‘IMHO’ – have slightly more depth to them and can communicate abstract* concepts* beyond simple objects, actions or feelings.” she adds. For example, while an emoji can communicate 😀(happy) or 🏌️(golfing), abbreviations make it much more cleaner.
Another reason why teens are ditching emojis is because it’s just more convenient. “It’s quicker to write abbreviated words rather than having to spend more time writing the full words, even if it’s a couple of letters shorter.” says 12-year-old Zac Nowytarger. For example, if your friend texts you in the middle of the night and tells you that his dog fell inside the pool, it would be easier just to type LOL or OMG instead of pressing the emoji icon and finding 🤣or 😯.
Now that the digital world is changing, more people are using abbreviations and emojis are disappearing. What will be next?
Terms like “LOL” (laugh out loud), “BRB” (be right back), and “OMG” (oh my god) have been part of internet language for years. But now, more abbreviations such as “ILYSM” (I love you so much), “FTW” (for the win), and “OFC” (of course) are here — and more and more are coming.
Now teens think that abbreviations are much easier to convey a message than emojis. “Emojis have been expanded slightly to also replace words, which is handy when you have character limits. But either way, they’re fairly one-dimensional and constrained,” says Lifelong Literacy clinical director Lyn Stone. This means that you really can’t say anything clear with emojis. For example, if I wanted to say, “oh my god”, I would just type OMG. But in emojis, I would probably have to type 😦🫢👆😲 or something like that. “Abbreviated words – and abbreviated phrases like ‘BTW’ and ‘IMHO’ – have slightly more depth to them and can communicate abstract* concepts* beyond simple objects, actions or feelings.” she adds. For example, while an emoji can communicate 😀(happy) or 🏌️(golfing), abbreviations make it much more cleaner.
Another reason why teens are ditching emojis is because it’s just more convenient. “It’s quicker to write abbreviated words rather than having to spend more time writing the full words, even if it’s a couple of letters shorter.” says 12-year-old Zac Nowytarger. For example, if your friend texts you in the middle of the night and tells you that his dog fell inside the pool, it would be easier just to type LOL or OMG instead of pressing the emoji icon and finding 🤣or 😯.
Now that the digital world is changing, more people are using abbreviations and emojis are disappearing. What will be next?