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News & Features

Apple Devices Link 'Woozy Face' Emoji to Stammering

An emoji that with a crooked smile and a closed eye

6th July 2021

Hundreds of you have contacted us to tell us that a 'woozy face' emoji automatically appears on iPhones and iPads when typing the word 'stammering' into messages.  

The emoji features a yellow face with a crumpled mouth and a cockeyed expression, and the WhatsApp emoji also features a tongue hanging out.

Members have inundated us about the issue:

"This comes up on my phone when I type stammering! This is ableist, as sometimes people who stammer make facial expressions when experiencing a block, and this almost mimics that. I hope Apple realise this and apologise." Ellie 

"It has appeared on all apps that I have tried including Facebook, my emails, WhatsApp and my iMessages. I am horrified and hope that this can be sorted." Kristina 

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Sue said, "What would disabled people think if a wheelchair emoji popped up every time?!"

One member, whose child has an iPhone, was particularly worried about the impact it could have on how they view their father.

STAMMA CEO Jane Powell said in a press release, "This is demeaning and damaging. Stammering is how some people talk. Treating it as a joke is stigmatising. It can leave people embarrassed about how they sound, bullied and ashamed which can affect their mental health, careers and relationships."

A keyboard, with a woozy face emoji appearing under the term 'stammering'

It isn't clear why this is taking place, as it doesn't affect every iPhone or Apple device, but members have reported it on the iPhone 5s, 7, SE, 11, XR, 12 Pro Max and on iPads.   

  • Aged 16-25? Join our Youth Panel

We have contacted Apple and urged them to investigate their algorithms and stop this highly offensive feature from occurring on any of their devices.

Update, July 2021

On the 22nd July 2021, Apple released an iOS update that removed the link with the woozy face emoji. You can read all about it on our Apple Woozy Face campaign page.

Join us

If you, your child or someone you know stammers, then join us and create a better world for people who stammer. It's free. Become a member.

Useful links

Apple Woozy Face

When one of our volunteers noticed that Apple were auto-suggesting the woozy face emoji when typing the word 'stammering' into certain devices, we decided to do something about it.

Aged 16-25? Join our Youth Panel

Help us shape our services for young people. Apply by Friday 3rd September.

Watch it back: One to One with David Mitchell

The acclaimed author chats with poet Zaffar Kunial about his stammer and its influence on creativity.

Your Voice

My Story
07.06.21

Raising awareness on the radio

After shop workers laughed at her stammer, Sandra decided enough was enough. Here she explains how putting herself up for radio interviews to educate people was the best decision she ever made.

My Story
05.07.21

My Silent Pause: In memory of Hunter Adair

In memory of its author, Hunter Adair, who sadly passed away this May, here's a free-to-download pdf of the book 'My Silent Pause', telling the story of his lifetime as a person who stammers.

My Story
22.01.21

My journey of coming out of my shell

Being interviewed for a podcast was a big step in Rebekah's journey of acceptance. In this honest article, she tells us just how difficult a journey it can be.

Read More
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