This research paper examines the multifaceted impact of social media on the English language, focusing on changes within lexical, syntactic, and pragmatic frameworks. As digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) become central to global communication, they function as a primary "lingua franca," accelerating linguistic evolution through the creation of vernacular, acronyms, and hybrid language varieties like Hinglish. The study explores how technical constraints—such as character limits—and the integration of multimodal tools—including emoji’s, GIFs, and memes—have fostered a new "economy of expression" that prioritizes speed and emotional resonance over traditional grammatical standards. Furthermore, the paper analyses the "carry-over" effect, where informal digital registers potentially challenge formal academic literacy and cognitive processing in code-switching environments. While social media provides authentic linguistic input and facilitates global cultural identity, it simultaneously introduces risks related to misinformation and the erosion of formal writing proficiency. The findings suggest a need for "digital literacy" to be integrated into modern educational curricula to help learners navigate the boundaries between informal digital communication and professional academic standards.
Dr. Prashant Sampatrao Shinde (Sat,) studied this question.