INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ABBREVIATIONS AND ACCRONYMS ON STUDENTS WRITTEN COMMUNICATION

ABSTRACT

This research investigated the influence of social media abbreviations and acronyms on students’ written communication among undergraduates in the University of Benin. The underlining objectives of the study include but not limited to finding out the degree at which internet slangs, abbreviations and acronyms are being used on the social media platforms by mass communication undergraduates in the University of Benin, and to determine the rate at which students use incorrect abbreviations and acronyms in their written communications and the effects on their written communication. The researcher used the Technological determinism theory which is a ‘reductionist theory’ which assumes that a society's technology determines the development of its social structure, social interactions and its cultural values. The survey research method was used and the instrument of the questionnaire was specifically used to generate data for the study. Having served the questionnaire on the respondents, findings showed that text message abbreviations, internet slangs and acronyms have effects on the students’ written communication.35.7 % and 44.4 % of the respondents strongly agreed and agreed that constant use of acronyms and abbreviations affect communication competence. With over 50% of the respondents supporting that fact, it’s evident that the use of internet acronyms and abbreviations has been a threat to the English language writing skills and developments of students and should attract penalty in that regard.