How Do Internet Slang and Memes Affect Chinese Teenagers?
Abstract
An increasing number of young people in this era of new media have access to the web, which is both simpler and more convenient to use. Internet users have contributed to the emergence of a new language and cultural phenomenon known as “Internet slang” and “memes”. Previous studies have addressed and evaluated the many spread phenomena of Internet slang and memes in the last decade, but there has been little focus given to teenagers, despite the fact that this demographic makes up an increasingly large proportion of Internet users. The influence that Internet slang and memes have on Chinese teenagers is the focus of this research. The research question is to analyze how the characteristics of online slang and memes affect Chinese teenagers. A review of the relevant literature and analysis of case studies form the basis of the research method. The research concludes that Internet slang and memes, with their simplicity, diversity, and sustainability, have a greater negative impact on teenagers’ language expression, perception of thinking ways, and mental health. The most feasible strategy to address the issue is the implementation of proactive steps by regulatory bodies to regulate and improve the digital environment. Parents and educators should take a balanced and patient approach to guiding teenagers to develop competence in utilizing language in a standardized manner.
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