It’s the simplest emoji there is — a thumbs up. For decades, it’s meant “all good.” But to Gen Z? It’s a digital slap.
Younger users are now asking people to stop sending the 👍 emoji, claiming it feels cold, dismissive, even passive-aggressive. “It’s super rude if someone just sends you a thumbs up,” one Reddit user admitted. “I had a weird time adjusting at work because everyone used it.”
The debate started on a Reddit post where a young employee confessed feeling “unsettled” by coworkers using the emoji on Microsoft Teams. The replies poured in — thousands agreeing that the once-friendly symbol now feels sarcastic or impersonal. “It probably feels off because you like genuine interaction,” one commenter wrote.
To older generations, it’s harmless — a quick way to say “got it” or “thanks.” But Gen Z interprets it differently, seeing it as a conversation ender rather than encouragement. On X (formerly Twitter), one user summed it up: “I don’t make the rules, but the thumbs up emoji? Bad vibes.”
Maybe it’s proof that kindness — even online — is all about tone. A tiny symbol can still speak volumes… if you’re reading it the right way.
