A pointing element used for an operation on a screen includes: a tip light emitting unit; and a control unit which causes the tip light emitting unit to emit light and thus transmits signal light. The control unit causes the tip light emitting unit to emit light in a first light emitting mode in a state of being in contact with the screen. The control unit causes the tip light emitting unit to emit light in a second light emitting mode having a smaller amount of light than the first light emitting mode, in a state of being not in contact with the screen.