Emojis That Make You Look Old: Gen Z’s Emoji Red Flags

Hey everyone! Julia here – your resident 23-year-old emoji blogger 😎. Today, I’m spilling the tea on emoji etiquette for Gen Z. If you’re using the wrong smiley, you might be accidentally aging yourself in the group chat. Yep, some emojis Gen Z flat-out hates and considers total “cringe.” In fact, a recent survey of 16–29 year-olds identified 10 emojis that will instantly tag you as old​. Gen Z even avoids these with their own peers to not get labeled “cringe”​. So, let’s break down which symbols are 🚩 red flags and how to swap in fresher vibes instead. (Don’t worry, I’ve got sources and Gen Z-approved alternatives for each!)

But first, why the drama over tiny cartoons? 🤔 Well, emoji meanings evolve fast. What was hip in 2016 might be cheugy (outdated) now. Generational differences are real – studies show older folks use a smaller range of friendly emojis, while Gen Z uses a wider variety with more humor and edge ​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. At mojiedit.com, we know this all too well. We’ve seen how each new wave of users reinvents emoji language (we even decoded Gen Z’s latest emoji slang in 2025​). So it makes sense that some once-popular icons have fallen out of fashion. Essentially, what’s cool to your mom could be 👎 to your kid.

Ready to see if you’re guilty of using any “old people” emojis? 🙈 Let’s dive into the top cringe emojis Gen Z can’t stand — and what to use instead to keep your texts 💯 fresh.

Emojis Gen Z Hates (and What to Use Instead)

Gen Z has unofficially “canceled” a bunch of emojis they find uncool or out-of-touch​. Below, I’ll list the worst offenders – the ones that might earn you an eye-roll or a “lol ok boomer” reply – along with why they’re disliked and how to replace them. Keep in mind, context matters and nothing is truly “banned.” But if you want to vibe with younger friends, consider retiring these symbols from your regular rotation. 😉

👍 Thumbs-Up – The Passive Aggressive Acknowledgement

One of the biggest emoji red flags is the seemingly innocuous 👍 thumbs-up. To many older users, 👍 just means “okay, got it” or a general sign of approval. However, Gen Z often perceives it as rude or passive-aggressive in tone​. Why? In a casual chat, a lone thumbs-up can feel dismissive – like the digital equivalent of a short “K.” On workplace apps, some younger employees even find it hostile or “unsettling” when a boss replies with just 👍​philstarlife.com​deseret.com.

In fact, a survey by Perspectus Global (2,000 people, ages 16–29) found that using 👍 makes you look “officially old.” It was ranked the number one emoji that will age you​. Some Gen Z respondents said it “feels like people are too lazy to type a response” and lacks clarity or warmth​. As one 24-year-old put it, “No one my age in the office does it” because they worry it means the person is mad​.

Gen Z-approved alternative: Instead of a curt 👍, try using a more playful or context-specific acknowledgment. A popular option is the “🤙” call-me hand (a.k.a. the shaka sign) – it feels more relaxed and friendly, like saying “cool” with a surfer vibe. You can also simply reply with text (e.g. “sounds good” ou “okay!”) which comes off as more genuine​. Gen Z often values the extra effort in writing it out. And if you must use an emoji, a smiling 🤝 handshake or even a 🙌 (raised hands) can convey agreement with positivity. The key is to avoid the lone passive-aggressive thumbs-up that might be interpreted as “whatever.”

(In group chats with older family, 👍 is usually fine – they’ll see it as just a thumbs up. But with Gen Z pals or coworkers, you might want to ditch it to stay on their wavelength.

😂 Face with Tears of Joy – Not Cool Anymore

Ah, the classic 😂 laughing-crying face – beloved by millennials everywhere and once the go-to for anything remotely funny. Surprise: Gen Z has declared 😂 uncool and “for old people.” In recent years, TikTok and Twitter have been flooded with young folks insisting they “wouldn’t be caught dead using” the 😂 emoji​ deseret.com. To them, it’s a try-hard millennial thing now, a bit “bland,” and way overused​abc7.com.

Don’t just take my word for it. CNN interviewed Gen Zers who said they stopped using 😂 after seeing their moms and older siblings spam it. “I use everything but the laughing emoji,” one 21-year-old admitted, adding that once she noticed older relatives favoring 😂, it immediately lost its appeal​. Ouch! No one wants their humor style equated with Mom’s Facebook comments.

Another reason Gen Z moved on is that 😂 was too popular for too long. It was the most-used emoji in the world for years​. Basically, it became basic. As language expert Gretchen McCulloch noted, “Tears of Joy was a victim of its own success”​. So what do young people use to convey hysterical laughter now? Two things primarily: the skull emoji (💀) and the loudly crying face (😭) – yes, ironically.

Gen Z-approved alternative: Use 💀 (skull) to say “I’m dead” (meaning “I’m dying laughing”). This has been a huge trend – it’s the visual slang for “that joke killed me”. For example, “That meme you sent has me 💀.” The skull perfectly captures “lol I can’t, I’m dead” humor​. Another acceptable alternative is the 😭 loudly crying face used in a hyperbolic way​. Yes, Gen Z repurposed 😭 (more on that emoji next!) to also mean “I’m laughing so hard I’m crying.” You might see a Gen Z commenter reply with “I’m crying 😭” at something hilariously relatable – and they’re not actually sad at all.

Of course, good old “lol” ou “lmao” in text are fine too, and many Gen Zers still use those acronyms​. The main point: ditch the 😂 cry-laugh emoji if you want to appear 2025-cool. Using 💀 will not only make your friends cackle, but they’ll also appreciate that you’re up to speed on the latest emoji slang. Just remember not to use the skull for serious contexts (Grandma might think someone literally died!).

😭 Loudly Crying Face – Melodramatic Much?

This one’s a bit confusing, because you just heard that Gen Z often uses 😭 (loudly crying face) as a rindo substitute. True! In an ironic or emphatic way, 😭 is all over Gen Z posts to show intense reaction (e.g. “I’m soooo happy I could cry 😭” ou “This video is so funny 😭💀”). However, when it comes to using 😭 earnestly to show sadness, younger folks shy away. The loudly crying face – with its streaming tears – is viewed as over-the-top and outdated for genuine emotions.

Basically, if you text a Gen Z friend something minor like “I miss you 😭”, they might giggle at the dramatics or interpret it sarcastically. One Gen Z college student told CNN she prefers the 😭 emoji over 😂 because it “feels more dramatic”​abc7.com. That says it all – 😭 is seen as intentionally dramatic, almost campy. Older generations who use 😭 sincerely (for actual crying or sadness) can come off as a bit extra to younger eyes.

Moreover, Gen Z has other ways to express being sad or upset that don’t involve bawling eyes out. The pleading face 🥺 has largely taken over the sad vibe in a softer way. It shows big watery puppy-dog eyes without the waterworks. For example, instead of “I’m so sad 😭”, a Gen Z texter might say “I’m sad 🥺” – conveying vulnerability or a teary-eyed look, but not full-on sobbing. The nuance is key.

Gen Z-approved alternative: If you’re genuinely sad or upset, try 🥺 (pleading face) for a gentler, more current tone​sloneek.com. Another one is the 😔 sad but relieved face or a simple 😕 slightly frowning face, depending on context. These feel less exaggerated than 😭. You can also express sadness with words and maybe a single tear emoji 😢, which is a bit more restrained than 😭 (though 😢 too might be seen as a millennial thing). The point is, dial it back. Gen Z tends to use understated or stylistically “cute” emojis for sadness rather than the full ugly-cry. Save 😭 for when you’re deliberately being overdramatic or when something is so tragically funny you have to cry-laugh. Otherwise, it’s likely to be read as sarcastic or just too much.

(Fun fact: Gen Z also uses 😭 in non-literal ways – like to show extreme joy or even when something is ridiculously adorable. It’s become an all-purpose intensity emoji. Context will usually clue you in on whether “😭” means actual crying or “crying because this is insanely funny/cute.” When in doubt, ask!)

❤️ Red Heart – Too Basic, Grandpa

We all love the emoji de coração vermelho (❤️) – it’s a staple to show love, gratitude, or friendship. However, among Zoomers it’s considered a bit basic and old-fashioned these days. In that poll of young people, the classic red heart was #2 on the list of “emojis that make you look old”​deseret.com. Why would a simple heart be cringe? For starters, it’s probably overused by older relatives (“Love you dear ❤️ xoxo”) and on Facebook posts. Gen Z, ever allergic to seeming uncool, have deemed the plain red heart “cringe” and too straightforward​vibe.mt​vibe.mt.

Think about it: The red heart means “love” in the most traditional sense. Teenagers and 20-somethings often prefer a little irony or specificity. Throwing out a big red heart can feel overly sincere or generic, almost like a Hallmark card when they’d rather send a meme. One Gen Z commenter said the ❤️ comes off as “intense” or formal, especially in new friendships. It might be reserved for one’s S.O. or mom, but not for casual buddies.

Gen Z also has a whole palette of heart colors 💙💜🖤🤍 with nuanced meanings (did you know a black heart can signify dark humor or “emo” vibes, and a blue heart can imply trust or friendship?)​sloneek.com. By using a more creative heart symbol, they add personality. The plain red heart, sadly, reads as vanilla. As Vibe media put it, Gen Z is literally “calling it too basic and cringe”​vibe.mt. Oof.

Gen Z-approved alternative: Spice up your heart game with the newer, more expressive “🫶” heart hands emoji. This one – two hands forming a heart shape – came out in 2022 and screams Gen Z. It feels playful and sweet, but not as clichéd as a red heart. For example, instead of replying to a friend’s good news with “❤️”, you might send “🫶 yaaaay” to show love e excitement.

You can also swap in different heart colors to fine-tune the vibe: 💜 for a more platonic love (popular in K-pop and fandom contexts), 🖤 for a sarcastic or goth-chic love (I send black hearts when I ironically adore something dark or spooky), or 💖 (sparkling heart) for extra enthusiasm. Using a colored heart shows you’re emoji-savvy and not just defaulting to the plain red.

For a totally non-heart alternative, some Gen Z texters even use 🤟 the “I love you” hand sign (which in ASL means ILY) – it’s a cute way to say love ya without a heart. The 🥰 smiling face with hearts is another modern fave for showing warmth or affection without relying on the red heart itself. It feels more updated and less like something your 50-year-old aunt would comment on a photo.

In short: ❤️ = heartfelt but old-school, 🫶 or 🖤 = fresher expression of love. So next time you’re tempted to drop a red heart, consider if a newer emoji might capture the sentiment in a more Gen Z-friendly way.

👌 OK Hand – Seen As Out-of-Touch

O “okay” hand sign (👌) used to be an easy way to signal “all good” or agreement. Yet Gen Z has largely phased this one out, associating it with older generations and even certain negative connotations. Part of the issue is that 👌 had a meme moment where it was misused in extremist contexts (the whole 4chan “OK sign = white power” hoax that some took seriously). While that’s a fringe thing, it did make a lot of younger people double-take at the symbol. Mostly though, Gen Z just finds it unfashionable – something their dad or boss still uses in texts but they don’t​.

In the youth survey, the OK hand ranked among the top cringe emojis (#3 on the list)​. One Gen Z respondent said “seems like a lot of the older generation are still using this one”, implying it hasn’t been cool in a minute ​vibe.mt. When was the last time you saw a teenager reply “👌” to a message? Probably never – they’re more likely to just say “bet” ou “yea that’s fine”. The OK sign emoji feels redundant or overly formal in many cases.

Also, similar to the thumbs-up, some interpret a lone 👌 as sarcastic or snarky. It can come across like “ok sure, whatever you say.” For Gen Z who communicate heavily in text, tone is everything, and 👌 might carry a subtle eye-roll vibe that wasn’t intended. Because of these mixed signals, many just avoid it.

Gen Z-approved alternative: Honestly, Gen Z often just drops the emoji altogether and says “ok” or “kk” in text, or uses a thumbs-up react (in apps that support message reactions) rather than sending the OK hand. If you really want an emoji, the previously mentioned 🤙 shaka sign can substitute here too, conveying “ok cool” with a bit more chill.

Another approach is to use 👍 in a friendly way if you must (though as we covered, that has its pitfalls too). Or try ✌️ (victory hand) as a more upbeat “sounds good!” — though that one can be seen as slightly hippie-ish, it’s generally positive and less controversial than 👌.

The main thing is, unless you’re actually signaling “I’m okay” after an injury (where 👌 might still literally make sense), you can probably live without the OK-hand emoji. Your agreement will come through via words or a simple smiley. No need to emulate the guy in the State Farm commercials texting 👌. In Gen Z circles, a plain “okie 👍” text (or even a meme GIF) will do just fine.

💩 Pile of Poo – Not So Funny Anymore

Who doesn’t chuckle at the smiling poop emoji (💩), right? Well, apparently Gen Z. The poop emoji was a novelty in the 2010s and a favorite for parents joking with kids. Nowadays, younger folks find it childish and kind of gross unless used very sparingly. It showed up on the “old people emoji” lists (#5 in that survey)​deseret.com, which suggests that frequently using 💩 might date you.

Part of it is practical: how often do you really need a poop emoji in normal conversation? Some older users might toss it in for silliness or to say “this stinks,” but Gen Z has other slang for that (they might just say something is trash or use the 🤡 clown emoji to indicate foolishness instead of 💩). One article quipped “still not sure where you’d use that… except if you’re literally describing what you’re doing”​vibe.mt – a bit cheeky, but not wrong. The joke of 💩 wore off at this point.

Using 💩 a lot can seem immature, like you’re stuck in elementary potty humor mode. It’s the same vibe as making fart jokes – okay in small doses, but not exactly legal. Many Gen Zers prefer edgier or more absurd humor. If they want to call something crap, they might use the trash can emoji 🗑️ or the prohibited sign (🚫) overlaid on an icon, or just say “that’s poop” in words (shockingly straightforward, I know).

Gen Z-approved alternative: Reserve 💩 for when you know your audience appreciates the juvenile humor (it can still be funny among close friends at the right moment). Otherwise, to express a negative reaction, try 🤡 (clown) to call out something silly or foolish – this has become a popular diss emoji for “that’s stupid” or “I feel like a clown.” Another is the 👎 thumbs down if you’re simply rating something bad (though thumbs down is also a bit old-school, it’s more universally understood).

If you’re tempted to use 💩 to say “I’m in deep crap” or “this situation stinks,” you could use the 😵‍💫 dizzy face ou 😩 weary face to convey distress in a less cartoony way. And if it’s literal bathroom talk… maybe just spare your friends the details altogether 😅. In general, less is more here – the poop emoji isn’t outright offensive, it just might make you look like you haven’t updated your emoji repertoire since the days when the Filme Emoji was in theaters.

🙈 Monkey Covering Eyes – Cute or Cringe?

O “see-no-evil” monkey (🙈) – with hands over eyes – is often used to express playful embarrassment or “Oops, I didn’t want to see that!”. It’s admittedly adorable. So why would Gen Z side-eye this emoji? Mainly because it’s been overdone in cutesy contexts and feels a bit 2014 Tumblr. Many younger users now feel the monkey emojis (🙈🙉🙊) are cringe for serious conversations. They might drop an “🙈” ironically, but if you use it earnestly (like “OMG I can’t look 🙈”), it could seem immature.

In that Gen Z cancel list, the monkey covering eyes was included as an emoji that makes you look out-of-touch ​deseret.com. Anecdotally, I’ve had friends tease someone for using 🙈 like “haha, feeling shy like a monkey?” – basically implying it’s a bit childish. It’s reminiscent of older texting culture where people said “teehee 🙈”. Gen Z humor tends to be more sardonic; an “awkward” situation might get the 😬 grimace emoji or just a “yikes” rather than an “eek 🙈”.

That said, some Gen Z do still like the monkey (one blog even protested, “personal favourite emoji… is it not cool anymore?!”​vibe.mt). It’s not hated with vitriol, just seen as very cutesy. So unless that’s the vibe you want, you might use something else.

Gen Z-approved alternative: Para embarrassment ou “I can’t believe I just saw that”, o facepalm emoji 🤦 (or 🤦‍♂️/🤦‍♀️) is a go-to replacement. It conveys “OMG, sigh” in a more grown-up way (e.g. “I can’t believe I did that 🤦‍♀️” instead of 🙈). Another great one is the upside-down smiley 🙃, which Gen Z loves for awkward humor or sarcasm. If a situation is cringey-funny, “🙃” says “well, that happened” with a wry tone.

Para shyness or flustered feelings, the smiling face with hand over mouth 🤭 can work – it’s basically a human version of the monkey covering its mouth/eyes. And for “I didn’t want to see that” moments (like an overshare online), some just use the eyeball emoji 👀 followed by 🚫 to humorously indicate “nope, I didn’t see that.” Creative, right?

In summary, you don’t have to banish 🙈 completely (I’ll admit I still find it cute occasionally). Just know it might read as juvenile. Using a human emoji or a more ironic one will feel more on-trend with how Gen Z expresses those “OMG” moments.

😬 Grimacing Face – The “Cringe” Emoji

Last but not least, let’s talk about the 😬 grimacing face – you know, the one with bared teeth like an awkward grin. This emoji literally looks like cringe, and appropriately, Gen Z has dubbed it the ultimate cringe emoji. In that survey it was #10 on the “makes you look old” list​ deseret.com, but more telling is how young people interpret it. When older folks use 😬, they usually mean “oops” ou “yikes, that’s rough.” For Gen Z, however, 😬 “screams ‘cringe’” – as in “wow, that’s embarrassing… you shouldn’t have said that” ​sloneek.com.

A Gen Z-oriented guide bluntly stated: “Older generations use 😬 to express awkwardness… For Gen Z, it’s a mix of disappointment and secondhand embarrassment – usually for someone who should know better.”​ Yikes! So if you drop a 😬 in a earnest way, a young person might think you’re cringing at them or the situation. It’s almost more of a judgment emoji in their eyes, like a silent “ooo that’s cringe” reaction. Not exactly the friendly vibe you might intend.

Because 😬 has become associated with calling something cringe, Gen Z doesn’t often use it to describe themselves. They’d rarely text “I’m 😬 right now.” Instead, they might use 🫠 (melting face) or 🙃 for personal awkwardness. 😬 is more what they’d comment at a fail video or an out-of-touch statement. So if you misuse it, you could accidentally imply the wrong thing.

Gen Z-approved alternative: If you want to convey your own awkwardness or discomfort, try 😅 (grinning face with sweat) – it shows nervous laughter, a more self-deprecating “whoops!” feeling. Gen Z still uses 😅 to say “haha, this is awkward.” The 🥴 woozy face or the new 🫠 melting face are also trendy ways to express “I’m embarrassed/this is not fine.” They have that blended cringe vibe without the same connotation as 😬.

For reacting to something cringe you saw (instead of using 😬 which can seem harsh), Gen Z might just write “cringe” outright, or use that skull emoji 💀 again (implying you’re “dead” from cringe). They also might use 🤢 nauseated face humorously to say “that gave me ick.” It depends on the context, but usually a more specific or over-the-top emoji is chosen to avoid the ambiguous grimace.

So unless you mean to telegraph “OMG cringe!”, it might be best to retire 😬 from your daily texts. There are cooler ways to say something is awkward or uncomfortable that won’t make you look like – well – 😬. Remember, for Gen Z, 😬 é cringe​, so using it unironically might label you as cringe. And we definitely don’t want that, right?

Navigating Emoji Culture Like a Pro

Before you freak out and purge your emoji keyboard, note that context and audience are everything. If you’re texting your peers (and your peers are over 30), nobody is likely to judge your use of 😂 or 👍. But understanding Gen Z’s emoji red flags can be super helpful, whether you’re a Millennial trying not to embarrass yourself in front of younger coworkers or a parent hoping to better connect with your teen. Emojis are a fun, colorful part of communication – and each generation puts its own spin on them ​pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

The bottom line: language evolves, and so do emojis. What was cool yesterday might be cheugy today, and that’s okay. Staying aware of these trends (and maybe gently teasing each other about them) is part of the fun. As a Gen Z emoji enthusiast, I’ll be the first to say we have our own weird codes and inside jokes with emojis. (For instance, we turned the simple 💀 skull into a laugh riot, as you saw, and who knows what emoji we’ll meme-ify next!)

If you’re unsure about an emoji’s vibe, err on the side of words or ask a friendly Gen Z – we honestly love explaining our goofy slang. By swapping out a few cringe emojis for fresher ones, you’re showing that you’re tuned in and respectful of the ever-changing online culture. In other words, you’re saying “I get it”, which can go a long way in cross-generational communication.

So next time you’re about to react with a 👍 or sign off with a ❤️, maybe try a “👌✨ jk don’t” (just kidding!). Experiment with a 🤙, 🫶, or 💀 and see if you notice a difference in the vibe. It might feel odd at first, but as we say at Mojiedit: language, even visual language, is always evolving – and a little adaptation can keep your digital chats feeling fresh and inclusive​.

🔚 Conclusion: Keep Your Emoji Game Fresh

To sum up, emojis evolve just like slang, fashion, and memes. Therefore, if you keep firing off the same symbols you used back in 2016, there’s a good chance you’re aging yourself in the group chat—yikes! Luckily, swapping a few cringe‑worthy icons for Gen Z‑approved upgrades is super easy and honestly kind of fun. Moreover, updating your emoji vocabulary shows younger friends and coworkers that you respect their digital culture, so everyone feels seen (and nobody feels silently judged by a rogue 👍).

Below is a quick‑glance cheat sheet. Copy it, bookmark it, or tape it to your laptop—whatever helps you remember which emojis scream “I’m old” and which ones say “I get the vibe.” 👇

Happy texting, and may your emoji game be forever on point! 🚀✨

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