The internet and the mobile phone have introduced a new language of symbols and abbreviations through text messaging and chat rooms.
The Netpets Kids page on Emoticons gives a brief list of some commonly used emoticons.
Here is a fuller list of Common Emoticons and Acronyms.
This is another simple list of Smilies and Emoticons, with two links to a much fuller list.
Possible discussion questions: Who decides what these various shorthand symbols mean? Can they mean different things to different people? What is the role of symbols in our lives? How can everyday objects convey deeper reality?