The Spread of text communication Platforms and Their impact on the Adoption of Chat Abbreviations and Slang among University Students

The integration of text communication platforms into daily interactions has fundamentally reshaped language practices among university students. This study explores the prevalence, factors, and implications of chat abbreviations and slang adoption within higher education contexts. We collected data from a diverse sample of university students using a mixed-methods approach that combined qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys we find reveal a pervasive use of chat abbreviations ("LOL," "OMG") and slang terms ("lit," "AF") across various digital platforms, highlighting their role in facilitating efficient communication and social bonding. Factors influencing adoption include technological affordances, peer influence, and identity construction within digital communities. Educational implications suggest a need to balance digital literacy with formal language skillsemphasizing awareness of context-specific communication norms. Theoretical insights draw upon social shaping theory to elucidate the reciprocal relationship between digital technologies and linguistic practices. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how text communication platforms shape language norms and social interactions among university students, urging further exploration into longitudinal trends and cross-cultural variations.