A SURVEY ON EMOJIS AND GENDER REPRESENTATION AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, BAYERO UNIVERSITY, KANO

This study investigates a survey on emojis and gender representation among undergraduate students of library and information science department, Bayero University, Kano. Four research questions were raised. Descriptive research design of survey type was used for this study.150 responses were recorded and analyzed respectively. Data was collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics; i.e. simple frequency, percentages. Findings reveal a high frequency of emoji usage among students. A majority of respondents indicated that they use emojis regularly (either very frequently or frequently) in digital communication. Emojis are commonly used to convey emotions, humor, and social connection, and they form a significant part of students’ online expression, especially on widely used platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. The study found that a notable proportion of respondents believe that emojis reflect gender stereotypes. While perceived emoji representations as mostly stereotypical, saw them as mixed, and considered them mostly neutral. Emojis like lipstick, nail polish, and gender-specific professions were cited as reinforcing traditional gender roles. However, of respondents viewed gender-neutral emojis positively, considering them inclusive. This suggests a nuanced awareness of gender representation in digital symbols among students. The study recommended among others that academic institutions and digital literacy programs should integrate awareness of emoji meanings and their sociocultural implications into training sessions. This will help students become more conscious of how emojis convey gender norms and cultural values.