The Influence of Social Media on the Development of Modern English Slang

This article examines the influence of social media on the development, dissemination, and transformation of modern English slang. The rapid expansion of digital communication platforms has significantly changed the ways in which people create, share, and interpret informal language. Platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, X, YouTube, and Snapchat have become important environments for the emergence of new slang expressions and the popularization of existing vocabulary. The study explores the linguistic mechanisms underlying slang formation, including abbreviation, blending, semantic change, borrowing, and creative word formation. It also considers the relationship between online communities, cultural identity, and linguistic innovation. Particular attention is paid to the role of viral content, memes, hashtags, and digital trends in accelerating the spread of slang among English speakers and English language learners. The article concludes that social media has become a major driving force in the evolution of contemporary English slang, while emphasizing the importance of understanding the social and cultural contexts in which these expressions are used.