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Have emojis changed the world? Have emojis changed the world?
Yes, emojis have transformed human relationships. Yes, emojis have transformed human relationships.
No, the impact of emojis is exaggerated. No, the impact of emojis is exaggerated.
No, the impact of emojis is limited to communication. No, the impact of emojis is limited to communication.
Yes, emojis have far-reaching social implications. Yes, emojis have far-reaching social implications.
Emojis define and restrict emotional range in communication Emojis define and restrict emotional range in communication
Emojis have created new brain patterns in humans which help decode meaning Emojis have created new brain patterns in humans which help decode meaning
People subconsciously judge others based on emoji use People subconsciously judge others based on emoji use
Emojis are a byproduct of the Digital Revolution's efficiency Emojis are a byproduct of the Digital Revolution's efficiency
Emojis are a subsidiary of mainstream communication and language Emojis are a subsidiary of mainstream communication and language
Emoji use reflects the contexts and identities of their users. Emoji use reflects the contexts and identities of their users.
Emojis are a response to real world events Emojis are a response to real world events
Emojis are reminiscent of archaic ancient hieroglyphics and their use Emojis are reminiscent of archaic ancient hieroglyphics and their use
Emojis have contributed to lower levels of literacy. Emojis have contributed to lower levels of literacy.
Emojis are simply non-verbal cues in online communication. Emojis are simply non-verbal cues in online communication.
Emojis now influence our courts. Emojis now influence our courts.
Emojis have established a new axis of power within the Unicode Consortium Emojis have established a new axis of power within the Unicode Consortium
Emojis are used by businesses to expand their customer base Emojis are used by businesses to expand their customer base
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Have emojis changed the world?
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Yes, emojis have far-reaching social implications.

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Emojis now influence our courts.

The use of emojis in online messages as evidence for intent, in otherwise ambiguous cases has risen dramatically in recent years. Emojis have now been the critical piece of proof in hundreds of legal cases.
Communications Crime Emojis Evidence Law Legal
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Context

Emojis are appearing more and more as evidence in courtrooms. A study by Santa Clara Law professor Eric Goldman showed that between 2004 and 2019, the number of reported cases involving emojis had jumped from 1 to over 100.

The Argument

Emojis perform a much more significant role in society than simple communication. Their growing prevalence in court cases illustrates how they are now influencing legal outcomes where motive is disputed. For example, a man was handed a three month prison sentence in France for texting a pistol emoji to a former partner as the image was considered 'a real threat'. In the U.S. a man was convicted of murder, not accidental death as he had argued, based on a text he had sent with the 'cross for eyes' emoji with the victim's name. This is important because motive, or intent, is frequently what the outcome of a trial depends upon. Emojis are therefore increasingly the key piece of evidence that influences the outcome in high profile legal cases.

Counter arguments

Criminal cases are very complex. While emojis might be considered as evidence in wider arguments about intent, they are one component of a much wider discussion. Goldman's research illuminates evolving modes of communication. However, 100 cases remains very insignificant within the wider context: in the US there were 81,553 criminal case filings in district courts alone.

Premises

[P1] Emojis are increasingly being used as evidence in criminal cases [P2] Courts are accepting emoji messages as proof of intent [P3] Legal outcomes are being determined by emojis

Rejecting the premises

[Rejecting P3] Emojis are not the sole factor influencing legal outcomes. Criminal verdicts are determined by a multitude of factors of which emojis are one.

References

This page was last edited on Monday, 26 Oct 2020 at 13:16 UTC

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