Exploring Tertiary Students’ Comprehension and Utilisation of the Emoji in Social Media Communication: Insights from a University in Ghana.

This study investigates how university students in Ghana utilise and understand emojis on the messaging platform WhatsApp. Emojis act as a visual shorthand in digital communication. However, ambiguity exists around emoji meanings, creating risks of misinterpretation. A survey of 300 students in a Ghanaian University examined emoji usage frequency, interpretation and perceived effects on interaction. Findings revealed frequent emoji use for expressing emotions and social bonding. But students did not consistently interpret emojis identically. Despite this, most students believed emojis enhanced interactions. The discrepancies in emoji comprehension indicate potential communication risks. This study's findings highlight the need for greater emoji literacy to support university students' critical comprehension and principled usage. It also recommends the integration of emoji literacy skills into digital citizenship initiatives within educational institutions to foster judicious usage habits.