” Critics fear proper English will be replaced by Internet slang because of the increased use of social media, but students and faculty at the University of Akron say they have seen little change in the classroom. Students frequently use social media outlets, such as blogs, social networking sites and texting, to quickly communicate with friends and family.”
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Critics fear proper English will be replaced by Internet slang because of the increased use of social media, but students and faculty at the University of Akron say they have seen little change in the classroom.

Students frequently use social media outlets, such as blogs, social networking sites and texting, to quickly communicate with friends and family. Many rely heavily on abbreviated spelling and grammar in such conversations.

Picture applications and newsfeeds are also often viewed as a way to keep informed about what everyone is doing, said sophomore nursing student Anthony Rohrer.

Rohrer began using MySpace and AIM instant messaging during junior high. Currently, he relies on Facebook and the convenience of text messaging to communicate with friends on a daily basis, he said.

Alyssa Mauser, a freshman, uses Twitter to keep in touch with friends and relatives while on the go. Using her Blackberry application, Mauser views and sends messages multiple times a day.

Even some faculty members at the university have discovered social media. An anonymous assistant professor of English uses Facebook on his personal time.

A recent convert, the professor began using Facebook about one year ago to communicate with family friends after relocating.

He frequently uses the messaging feature of Facebook, leaving the games and other applications to be enjoyed by his children.

But some educators have not been so keen to embrace this new trend in communications, arguing that as a result of social media, Internet slang is degrading the English language.

Somewhat familiar with such slang, he voiced a divided opinion on the matter.

It’s not acceptable in written academic work, but as far as I am concerned, [slang] is acceptable in conversation, he said.

The professor noted that he has only seen a minor impact on his student’s writing capabilities, most commonly reflected in spelling errors, since social media became a popular form of communication.

Similar opinions were held by students at the university. Both Mauser and Rohrer stressed that though they are familiar with Internet slang, they take care not to use it in their academic lives.

Social media has definitely influenced how I speak and write in casual settings, but I have not, and will not, let it influence what really matters in school and later in my career Mauser said.

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