It has been a big year for emoji.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then turn off your flip phone! But for the rest of you, who knew that emoticons were going to mature onto such a global stage?!? I surely did not, but then again I’m not immersed in the tech world. However, it is evident that if one does not think globally about technology then that could be the demise of an upcoming product/software/idea.

With Word of the Year under its belt, emoji is taking on other challenges that have cultural significance. Who knew that this popular symbol would be tackling religious, political and social issues?