Facebook's Effects on Teenagers' Language

According to the Pew Research Center website, 93 percent of teenagers have a Facebook account. Facebook is the dominant social media site, and it has had a significant impact on the way teenagers communicate. They not only spend a lot of their time on the network, but they have also learned to shorten their language in a bid to communicate as much as possible during their online interactions. In some instances, they also use explicit or foul language that is commonly used among other online users.

  1. Language Command

    • ABC News reports that one of the adverse effects on teenagers who spend a lot of time communicating on Facebook is that their command of the English language drops significantly. Teenagers use shortened forms of words, slang and other innovations, such as smileys, to express themselves on Facebook. On occasion, the creative language seeps into the teenagers̵7; daily life, making it more difficult for them to speak or write in proper English when they are not on Facebook.

    Creative Writing

    • School teachers are concerned that teenagers̵7; increasing use of digital tools of communication such as social networks has a negative effect on teaching and student understanding of academic and creative writing, according to Pew Internet Research findings. Academic and creative writing requires students to use their critical thinking abilities and creativity to come up with a composition, essay or other written assignment while still maintaining a formal style, voice and adherence to fair use and copyright rules. However, since Facebook users generally just share actual life experiences, write about things that they did, post photos and videos using informal language and brief expositions, without having to engage their imaginations or critically think about their communications, they are poorly positioned to develop the requisite writing skills.

    Foul Language

    • The use of explicit or foul language is one of the adverse effects of Facebook usage. The freedom that the Internet provides encourages teenagers to share all kinds of personal information on the network, including relationship and sexual issues, and to use explicit language when expressing themselves. Teenagers also sometimes use foul language that their parents would not ordinarily tolerate if they spoke out loud. There is an increasing tendency to code the language and make it such that only fellow teenagers can read it so that parents do not really know what their teenagers are saying. The overall effect is that it is harder to monitor teenage social media use, language and expressions.

    Face-to-Face Communication

    • The significant drop in face-to-face communication is one of the most detrimental effects of Facebook on teenage language. Teenagers with Facebook accounts generally spend far more time communicating online with their friends and peers than they do in person. As a result, their ability to develop empathy, understand emotionally, communicate verbally and non-verbally through gestures and cues is likely to be greatly affected. Teenagers may have a hard time articulating themselves in person because Internet communication offers a type of shield from direct contact with others. If they prioritize Facebook, they may not be in a position to socialize as effectively off the network.

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