Here's the thing: emojis didn't change. How Gen Z uses them changed.

Millennials (and Gen X, let's be honest) tend to use emojis literally. Crying face = sad. Thumbs up = agreement. Simple, right? But Gen Z grew up with smartphones in hand, and they've developed an entirely new visual language that's heavy on irony, exaggeration, and layers of meaning.

Think of it like slang—the words themselves don't change, but how they're used and what they signal absolutely does. And just like slang, emoji usage varies by friend group, region, and what's currently viral on TikTok.

What you think it means: Death, danger, something morbid
What it actually means: "I'm dying laughing" or "that's so funny I'm dead"

This is probably the most important one to understand. If your kid texts you "mom the dog just fell off the couch 💀💀💀" they're not traumatized—they think it's hilarious. Multiple skulls = extra funny.

What you think it means: Genuine sadness or distress
What it actually means: Could be sadness, but more often it's "I'm laughing so hard I'm crying" or "this is so relatable it hurts"

Context is everything here. "I have so much homework 😭" = stressed. "She really said that 😭😭😭" = that's hilarious/absurd.

What you think it means: Okay, sounds good, I agree
What Gen Z thinks it means: You're passive-aggressive, annoyed, or old

Sorry, but this one got ruined. To many teens, a lone thumbs up reads as dismissive or even hostile. It's the text equivalent of "K." If you want to seem chill, try "sounds good" or literally any other emoji.

What it means: Cap = lie. No cap = no lie, I'm being serious

You'll see this as "that's cap" (that's a lie) or "no cap" (I'm being real). The baseball cap emoji is sometimes used, but more often kids just type the words.

What it means: Confidence, sass, "I don't care what you think," serving looks

This one's all about attitude. "Got an A on the test 💅" = I'm amazing and I know it. Often used in a playfully arrogant or sassy way.

What it means: Adding emphasis, making something seem special, magical, or ironic

Used around words for emphasis: "✨depression✨" or "just girly things ✨." Can be sincere or deeply ironic depending on context.

What it means: "I'm an idiot" or "that person is foolish"

Usually self-deprecating. "Thought he liked me back 🤡" = I was wrong and feel stupid. Can also be used to call out someone else's nonsense.

What it means: Awkward silence, deadpan reaction, "bruh"

This one's weird and hard to explain, but it's used for awkward moments or as a kind of stonefaced reaction. Very meme-specific.

What you think it means: Embarrassed
What it actually means: "Wait, what?" or caught off guard, sometimes flirty

Can indicate surprise, being flustered, or reacting to something unexpected. Context matters a lot here.

What you think it means: Prayer or gratitude
What it might mean: High five, please, thank you, or prayer

This one's actually versatile and used pretty similarly across generations, but kids use it more casually—less "thoughts and prayers" and more "thanks bro."

Some emojis are basically generational markers now. If you use these, your kid will know you're not fluent:

The crying-laughing emoji is particularly fraught. It was literally the most popular emoji for years, but Gen Z has declared it cringe. If you're wondering why Gen Z does this, it's partly about differentiation—every generation needs to distinguish itself from the one before.

Look, you don't need to become fluent in Gen Z emoji to be a good parent. But understanding the basics helps you:

The bigger point is that language—including visual language—is constantly evolving, and kids are often at the forefront of that evolution. It's actually pretty fascinating if you step back from the "kids these days" reflex.

Kids don't just use single emojis—they create meaning through combinations:

Some combinations are inside jokes, some are memes, and some are trying to communicate something they don't want to say outright. If you see repeated unusual combinations, it's worth asking about them.

Emoji language is just that—a language. It evolves, it has regional dialects, it has generational differences. You don't need to master it, but having a basic understanding helps you stay connected to how your kids communicate.

The good news? Your kids will probably think it's hilarious if you ask them to explain. "Hey, why do you always send me skulls?" is actually a great conversation starter. They get to be the expert, you get to learn something, and everyone wins.

And if you accidentally send a thumbs up? Just follow it with "sorry, I'm old" and move on. Self-awareness goes a long way.

Try this: Next time your kid sends you an emoji you don't understand, screenshot it and ask them what it means. Make it playful, not interrogative. You might be surprised how willing they are to teach you.

Remember: The goal isn't to text like a teen (please don't). The goal is to understand what they're saying and not accidentally send passive-aggressive thumbs up when you mean well.

And hey, at least we're not trying to decode whatever comes after emojis. Give it five years—they'll probably be communicating entirely in AI-generated reaction videos or something. We'll figure it out together.