10 year old calls on Apple to change ‘nerd face’ emoji
Written by TammyShepherd on November 30, 2023
A passionate plea from a 10-year-old boy from Oxfordshire, UK, has sparked a movement urging tech giant Apple to rethink its “nerd face” emoji. Teddy, a glasses-wearing youngster, expressed his concerns to the BBC about the emoji’s portrayal of people with glasses. According to reports from BBC, Teddy finds the current emoji’s prominent front teeth distasteful, leading him to believe it misrepresents individuals who wear glasses.
Teddy, referring to himself as a specs-wearer, proposed a redesign called the “Genius emoji,” envisioning a smiling character without the prominent front teeth. He shared, “We want to change this. Apple is making it absolutely horrible for people wearing glasses.” Teddy highlighted his emotional distress caused by this representation, emphasizing that if he finds it offensive, others worldwide might feel similarly affected.
Influenced by his concern, Teddy initiated a petition aimed at Apple to revise the emoji’s design. Inspired by his teacher, Lisa, Teddy embraced a mature approach in addressing his grievances. Lisa commended Teddy for his assertiveness and stated, “He’s quite vocal about it but in quite a grown-up way, and I think that should be supported, encouraged, and commended as well.”
As reported by various sources, including the BBC, Teddy’s petition currently circulates within his school and town. He plans to extend it online and forward it to Apple. Despite the coverage, Apple hasn’t responded to the petition yet.
Expressing his optimism, Teddy shared that if Apple considers his proposal, it would make him “feel amazing” and “so excited.” He detailed his redesigned emoji, emphasizing thin lenses, frames, and a cheerful expression as attributes.
Teddy’s passionate campaign stemmed from his discomfort with the emoji’s portrayal, aiming for a more inclusive representation of glasses wearers. Newton Communications reached out to Apple for comment but has not received a response at this time. Teddy’s initiative highlights the importance of representation in digital communication and seeks to promote a positive image for individuals wearing glasses.
