Boy, 10, starts petition to get Apple to change 'nerd' glasses emoji

A boy has started a petition asking Apple to change its "offensive and insulting" glasses emoji.

Teddy, 10, from Peppard, Oxfordshire, believes the icon, with its prominent front teeth, gives the wrong impression of people who wear glasses.

The proud specs-wearer has redesigned the emoji, substituting the toothy grin with a small smile.

He told the BBC: "We want to change this - Apple are making it absolutely horrible for people wearing glasses."

The BBC has contacted Apple for comment.

Teddy added: "They're making people think we're nerds and it's absolutely horrible.

"It's making me feel sad and upset, and if I find it offensive there'll be thousands of people around the world that find it offensive too."

Teddy has called his own revamp of the icon - which is often colloquially referred to as the nerd emoji - as the genius emoji, and hopes the tech company will adopt it.

"It's got thin lenses and thin frames... and then it's got a little smiley face instead of the horrible rabbit teeth," he explained.

"I like wearing glasses because they make me see a lot better, and they look good and stylish."

Teddy was inspired to start his campaign after noticing the offending emoji when texting his cousin.

He shared his concerns with one of his teachers, Lisa, who helped him kickstart the petition asking Apple to change its ways, first around the school, and then online.

"I love his inquisitive mind, and the fact he fights for what he believes in," she said.

"He's quite vocal about it but in quite a grown-up way, and I think that should be supported, encouraged and commended as well."

Teddy said if Apple took his ideas on board it would "feel amazing and I'd be so excited".

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