Snapchat's Influence On Language

Once upon a time, Malcolm X learned to read and write by “riffling… through the dictionary’s pages” and “cop[ying] the dictionary” (X 2). That was in a fairy tale writing kingdom long ago. With the advent of the Internet, the way people have learned to read and write has changed dramatically. Instead of using Merriam Webster’s dictionary, people use Webster’s online dictionary. Instead of checking out books at a local library, people will find it online, never leaving the comfort of their own home. Instead of reading books and essays, people read blogs and forums. The Internet has influenced today’s youth. Where it goes wrong however, is when social media. Social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat, has modified the English language. Social media gave birth to the language, Textspeak. Textspeak is a term for abbreviation and slang, commonly used with text messaging and social media sites. With its infiltration of today’s society, Millennials are integrating Textspeak into their everyday vocabulary and hard wiring it into their brains. Online writing is creating a generation of dumbed down students with its pictures, abbreviations, and slang all …show more content…
That is how Snapchat works. Snapchat is a video and picture messaging application in which users can fit one single line of text that is approximately ten to fifteen words. It has a similar effect as Twitter because users have to shorten and abbreviate words. Specifically, it minimizes one’s ability to type words longer than five letters. Snapchat users are getting younger and younger and as they grow, all they know is that simple one line of text. Informal writing suddenly replaces any type of formal writing, spilling into their academic arena. Furthermore, Snapchat enables users to use pictures and a means of communication as users can draw on the pictures to visually enhance their message, but again minimizing their vocabulary and literacy as all they can do it draw