SOCIAL MEDIA AS A FACTOR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUTH LANGUAGE IN ENGLISH
Abstract
This thesis examines social media as an important factor in the development of youth language in English. The study analyzes how digital platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Snapchat influence the vocabulary, communication styles, and linguistic behavior of young people. Special attention is given to the emergence of slang expressions, abbreviations, neologisms, internet-based phrases, and informal language patterns widely used in online communication. The research also explores the role of social media in accelerating linguistic innovation, shaping youth identity, and transforming traditional communication norms. The findings demonstrate that social media has become a major force in the evolution of modern English youth language and continues to influence contemporary linguistic trends.