A boy from Oxfordshire is campaigning for tech giant Apple to change its glasses emoji because its “offensive and insulting.”

Teddy Cottle, 10, from Henley, thinks the icon – with its protruding front teeth – gives the wrong impression of people who wear glasses.

The pupil, who attends Sonning Common Primary School in Reading, has redesigned the company's emoji, switching the prominent teeth for a small, off-centre smile.

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He told the BBC: “We want to change this. Apple is making it absolutely horrible for people wearing glasses.”

Apple has been contacted 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."

The tenacious pupil has named his redesign of the symbol, often referred to unofficially as the nerd emoji, the genius emoji. He hopes Apple will adopt it.

Teddy defended his glasses as they allow him to "see a lot better".

The schoolchild added that glasses can also be stylish and be used in fashion.

Teddy started the petition after noticing the emoji when sending a text to his cousin.

He voiced his concerns to one of his teachers, Lisa, who helped him start the petition asking the tech company to change its icon.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1