The Negative Influence of Social Media Language on Academic English Writing among University Students in Malaysia

This paper investigates the impact of social media exposure on Malaysian university students’ academic writing, with emphasis on how informal digital language influences their grammar, spelling, and overall writing competence. The use of abbreviations, slangs as well as informal structures of the language in this powerful communication tool has become common in academic contexts. Previous studies have shown that this ‘encroachment’ undermine vocabulary richness, grammatical accuracy, and eventually affect learners’ ability in elaborating idea and as a result weaken writing performance.
Nevertheless, students’ perceptions remain mixed—many recognize that platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp can boost confidence, grammatical awareness, and access to learning materials, yet also acknowledge that informal habits hinder formal writing. The study highlights that educators can mitigate these negative effects by integrating social media into structured academic activities, providing continuous feedback, and monitoring student writing practices. Ultimately, effective guidance can transform social media from a distraction into a supportive tool for academic writing development.

Social Media, Academic Writing Language Influence

1. Ahmad, A., & Jarin, T. (2024). From casual to academic: Exploring the impact of social media on higher-level English students’ writing practices. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR), 6(6), Article IJFMR240633808. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. AlMarwani, M. (2020). Academic writing: challenges and potential solutions. Arab World English Journal (AWEJ), 6(1), 114- 121. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.24093/awej/call6.8 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Amin, B. O. et al. (2020). The impact of social media in English language learning. Journal ofCritical Reviews, 7(10), 3126-3135. DOI: 10.31838/jcr.07.10.507 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Asafo-Adjei, R. et al. (2023). Social media and English language writing performances of aGhanaian ESL class: The nexus. Cogent Education, 10(1), DOI:10.1080/2331186X.2023.2189388 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Asare I. A. et al. (2022). Effects of social media on students’ writing: The case study of MountMary College of Education. Sinomics Journal: International Journal of Social Science, Education, Communication, Economics, 1(2). https://doi.org/10.54443/sj.v1i2.7 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Azlan, N. A. B., & Md Yunus, M. (2020). Undergraduates student perceptions of social networking sites to improve English writing skills in Malaysia. International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 19(3), 329–351. https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.19.3.18 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Chukwuere, J. E. (2021). The positive and negative perception of university students using social media as a learning tool. Psychology and Education, 58(7), 4590-4601. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Damio, S. M., Patrick, M. C. T. A., & Iswahyuni. (2024). Social media platform preferences for enhancing English language skills: A study of secondary school and university studentsin Selangor. Journal of Social Science, 10(1), 50-60. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Guardaquivil, J. P. & Matalines, A. M . J (2023). Social media as an influence factor to the writing skills of English major students. 1-20 http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4552331 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Haidari, M. et al. (2020). The use of social media and wikis in teaching writing skills: a review article. International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), 14(16), 168–179. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijim.v14i16.15531 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Hamat, A., & Abu Hassan, H. (2019). Use of social media for informal language learning byMalaysian university students. 3L: The Southeast Asian Journal of English Language Studies, 25(4),68–83. https://doi.org/10.17576/3L-2019-2504-05 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Javed, S., Usman, T., & Ahmad, S. (2022). Negative impact of social media and WhatsApp texting on students' academic writing skills: A comparative study. International Journal of Early Childhood Special Education (INT-JECS), 14(3), 6070–6079. DOI:10.9756/INT-JECSE/V14I3.779 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Mirza, E., Nasir, M. H., & Abdullah, M. (2022). Influence of social media chat on English writing skills of the students. Global Regional Review, 1-8. https://doi.org/10.31703/grr.2022(VII-I).01 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Nanda, K., & Panda, A. (2024). Influence of social media on academic performance of undergraduate students. International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research (IJFMR),6(6), 1-12. Article IJFMR240634256. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Nutakor, A. E., & Israel, P. C. (2023). Influence of social media on students’ academic writing and performance: A study within Ghanaian senior high schools setting. Social Education Research,29–41. https://doi.org/10.37256/ser.3420221850 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Omoera, O. S., Aiwuyo, O. M., Edemode, J. O., & Anyanwu, B. O. (2018). Impact of social media on the English language writing abilities of undergraduates in Ekpoma, Nigeria. GIST Education and Learning Research Journal, No. 17(July - December), 59–80. ISSN 1692-5777. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Savitri, D. (2018). The Impact of Social Media in Student Writing Habits. 2nd International Conference on Art, Language, and Literature (the 2nd IC-CALL). 1-6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Shahzadi, A. & Kausar, G. (2020). Using social media to improve students’ English writing skills: a mixed method study. Journal of Research in Social Sciences (JRSS), 8(1), 124 - 140. DOI: 10.52015/jrss.8i1.71 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Toryuha, A. T., Oniye, R. K., & Yayi, T. O. (2024). Influence of social media language on written-English of NCE students in Kwara State College of Education Ilorin. ESP International Journal of Science, Humanities and Management Studies, 2(1), 27–34.DOI:10.56472/25839756/IJSHMS-V2I1P103 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Zainal, Z., & Rahmat, N. H. (2020). Social media and its influence on vocabulary and language learning: A case study. European Journal of Education Studies, 7(11), 1–18. DOI:10.46827/ejes.v7i11.3259 [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

• Assessment of the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Repositioning TVET for Economic Development in Nigeria
• Teachers’ Use of Assure Model Instructional Design on Learners’ Problem Solving Efficacy in Secondary Schools in Bungoma County, Kenya
• “E-Booksan Ang Kaalaman”: Development, Validation, and Utilization of Electronic Book in Academic Performance of Grade 9 Students in Social Studies
• Analyzing EFL University Students’ Academic Speaking Skills Through Self-Recorded Video Presentation
• Major Findings of The Study on Total Quality Management in Teachers’ Education Institutions (TEIs) In Assam – An Evaluative Study