Los emojis del 8M: su uso en Twitter durante las movilizaciones feministas de 2019

What is it about?

Emojis are now a common part of digital communication and have been widely studied, but little research has explored their use during specific events. This study analyzes how emojis were used on Twitter during the feminist protests and strikes in Spain on March 8, 2019 (International Women’s Day). Researchers examined over half a million tweets posted between March 4 and March 9, 2019. The results show that emoji use during this event was quite different from typical Twitter usage. Unlike the usual dominance of yellow smiley faces, the most-used emoji was the purple heart, which has become a symbol of feminist activism online in Spain. Other common emojis included raised fists (linked to protest movements) and hand gestures that visually emphasized links or attachments. The study also found ideological patterns in emoji use, such as the Spanish flag being primarily used by supporters of the far-right party Vox. Overall, the research highlights how emojis are used symbolically in socially significant events, serving as tools for feminist discourse on the internet.

Featured Image

Photo by Ben Mater on Unsplash

Photo by Ben Mater on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This study shows that emojis are more than just decorations—they can carry strong political and social meanings. By analyzing their use during feminist protests, the research sheds light on how digital activism works and how people use visual symbols to express their beliefs and affiliations online.