EMOJI DECODER
😭💀
I'm dead from laughing or this is so funny
Communication through digital devices and platforms.
Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)
Your friend texts “LOL" while another says "lol" What do these two statements mean?
Laughing out loud, and the other is I'm upset or unhappy
A platform where people share photos, videos, and messages.
Social media
You need to send a quick reminder about a meeting.
Group chat or message
❤️🫶
Love, appreciation, affection, or care.
A communication method that happens in real time, such as a live call.
Synchronous communication
Someone replies “Sure.” Why might this message be misunderstood?
The text may not convey tone or enthusiasm clearly.
The ability to communicate with someone in another country through a phone.
Connectivity across distance
You need to send a formal record of instructions to your professor.
👀🍵
Watching, noticing something, or expressing curiosity to chika or tea.
Communication that allows people to respond later, such as email.
Asynchronous communication
Someone sends “okay…” What might the dots suggest?
Hesitation, uncertainty, or a tone the receiver interprets differently.
Someone posts only their best photos and achievements. What concept does this illustrate?
Selective self-presentation
You need to explain a complicated group project revision and answer questions immediately.
Video call or face-to-face meeting
🙂
A smile that may convey friendliness, politeness, awkwardness, or passive aggression depending on context.
Using a username or alias instead of your everyday identity online.
Pseudonymity
Two people interpret the same emoji differently. What does this illustrate?
Meaning depends on context and interpretation.
A message is screenshotted and shared without permission. What concern does this raise?
Privacy
You need to discuss a sensitive misunderstanding with a close friend.
A call or face-to-face conversation, depending on the situation and preferences
👍
A thumbs-up can signal agreement, acknowledgment, anger, frustration or simply that a message was seen; its meaning depends on context.
The field of communication research, rather than a single theory created by one scholar.
CMC
A sender thinks their message is friendly, but the receiver thinks it is rude. What communication problem occurred?
Misinterpretation due to missing cues or differing interpretations.
Someone feels pressured to answer every message immediately. What potential downside of CMC does this show?
Pressure to remain constantly available; blurred boundaries
You need to announce a routine order confirmation to hundreds of customers.
Automated message or email