The decline of formal writing at the hands of social media
Firstly, we must acknowledge Bandura’s social learning theory, stating that people are more likely to imitate those who are relatable. When young people view relatable media platforms, they interpret the punctuation, colloquialisms, and acronyms that are used in such media, which is then reproduced in scholastic writing. This generates discourse with educated professionals, due to it’s typical informality of being repetitive, and lacking depth (all of which are frowned upon in writing styles).
However, using Bandura’s social learning theory, we know students will not make the improvements suggested, because they cannot relate to the feedback they have received, especially compared to the positive forms that they find on social media (in the form of likes, comments, and shares).
However, social media does have benefits to writing. It has become a gateway that millions of users' access on a daily basis, it provides alternate perspectives and opportunities for connection. It also demonstrates positive effects on the English language. For example, the word of the year for 2021 was “vax”, a colloquialism that means “vaccine”. This could suggest a positive connection between social media users and the real world.
Colloquialisms are not used in traditional formal writing, and it is more than just abbreviations that have formed conversation. “Buzzwords” are words that become popular on social media, then becoming overused, and negatively associated with being a product of social media, instead of a part of the English language, such as to “romanticise” something. The frequent use of colloquialisms and such aforementioned "buzzwords” can cause valuable words to lose their meaning and depth, which exemplifies how social media is contributing to the deterioration of formal writing.
With an inability to write formally, there is the risk of not being accepted into universities or acquiring jobs which require formal writing abilities. On a wider scale, the use of social media can majorly impact the English language, and contribute to its downfall, in depth, meaning, and respectability.
Emma Shuttleworth
Sources;
“Social Learning Theory”- Albert Bandura
https://languages.oup.com/word-of-the-year/2021/
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