What is the ruling on using emoticons and drawings in forums (such as icons) or some real pictures for clarification?

Photographing living beings is forbidden according to the majority of scholars, with exceptions for necessity and need. Contemporary scholars have differed on the ruling regarding photographic images, between prohibition and permissibility. The preponderant opinion is prohibition, except in cases of necessity or need. As for expressive images in forums, such as smiling or sad faces, they do not fall under the ruling of forbidden images, because their features are unclear, they resemble symbols, and because what makes them a living image has been removed. The image is the head, so if the head is severed, it is no longer considered an image. However, it is advisable to avoid posting real pictures in forums, even if only of the face, as this is safer and more prudent, for some scholars consider that photographing the upper half, which is the face, falls under the prohibition.