THE IMPACT OF SOCIAL MEDIA LANGUAGE ON YOUNG GENERATIONS’ COMMUNICATION PATTERNS: A Sociolinguistic Analysis of Digital Interaction Among Youth

Abstract— This study examines how the unique language of social media influences the communication patterns of young people. The objectives are to assess the prevalence of social media linguistic features in youths’ communication and evaluate their effects on both informal and formal communication skills. Materials and Method: A mixed-method approach was employed, combining a survey of 300 English-speaking youths (aged 16–24) with content analysis of 1,000 social media posts. The survey captured self-reported language usage and perceptions, while the content analysis identified the frequency of slang, abbreviations, emojis, and other features. Results: The findings indicate that social media-driven slang and abbreviations are used by over 80% of youth on a daily basis, with many participants crediting social media for enhanced creative expression in communication. However, approximately one-third reported occasional intrusion of texting shorthand into formal writing, correlating with a slight decline in formal writing proficiency. Discussion: Social media language was found to enrich vocabulary and peer connectivity, but also posed challenges for grammar and formal communication contexts. Implications for further research include longitudinal studies on language evolution and developing educational interventions to balance informal and formal language competencies in the digital age.