The Influence of Social Media Influencers on Language Trends : How Influencers Shape Linguistic Norms Among Youth

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of social media influencers in shifting modern language use among young people. With the rise of digital platforms, influencers have played a crucial role in spreading new vocabulary, phrases, and communication styles. A quantitative method was adopted through a questionnaire distributed to 80 third-year university students at the University of 8 Mai 1945 in Guelma. The analysis of the collected data supports the hypothesis, revealing that exposure to influencers' language use significantly shapes the linguistic norms of EFL learners. Students were found to incorporate slang, abbreviations, and trending expressions into their speech, both consciously and unconsciously. These findings confirm that social media influencers have a notable influence on how young people communicate today, emphasizing the increasing role of digital media in language change and youth identity. The results reject the null hypothesis, affirming a strong correlation between influencer content and linguistic adaptation. The study recommends further research into media literacy and the evolving nature of informal language use among youth.