The Influence of Social Media on University Students’ Academic Language

Authors

  • George Alexander Evans Department of English Language and Literature, College of Languages and Humanities, UK Author

Keywords:

social media, academic language, university students, digital communication, writing skills

Abstract

This study examines how social media affects the academic language of university students. It focuses on the influence of abbreviations, informal expressions, emojis, and code-switching on students’ formal writing. Data are collected through questionnaires and samples of students’ academic assignments. The findings indicate that frequent use of informal language online can influence spelling, sentence structure, and vocabulary choices in academic contexts. However, social media may also support language learning by exposing students to new vocabulary and authentic communication. The study recommends helping students distinguish between informal digital communication and formal academic writing.

 

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Published

2026-09-15