Scientists find that people use emoji to hide, as well as show, their feelings

Have you ever received an unwanted gift and still said 'thank you'? This choice to hide a negative emotion is a display rule—one of many which define socially appropriate responses to emotions. Although display rules can promote interpersonal harmony, they can also have negative consequences for the person choosing to change how they express emotions.

source https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-scientists-people-emoji.html