I don't really see them being degrading at all, it shows not being a tryhard kid. It shows having the balls to show your emotions without caring what others think. It's more or less a way to show current mood through symbolism. 

The tryhards is the kind of people who are truly degrading themselves, the ones who sit back and act. They try to be all calm and hipster like but usually fails terribadly because most sees past their facade (and the pretender inside)... It's like watching meek puppies trying to growl. It's amusing yet annoying at the same time. So no one really stops those growling puppies. There are lots of these wannabes/puppies on the net. It's rather pathetic actually. 

Thus I realized, why even pretend? I Rather be myself, a Human being at the top of the food chain, and dare to show how I truly respond to things, it's when I don't put any smilies that you should start worrying. It means that I am not impressed at something.