Newer technologies and platforms are constantly changing the way we communicate. At the head of this linguistic revolution is the youngest generation of internet users: Generation Alpha. They are the ones born from 2010 to 2024. It will be the future their online interactions forge, not just their online identities but also how digital language evolves globally. A great example is the term “Jili online,” which is popular among this generation and helps drive the point that new words will come from the digital age. Consider significant social media terms and trends defining this generation’s language.
Digital Self-Expression
Gen Alpha is invested in digital self-expression, from an emphasis on sharing and creating content on Instagram and Snapchat, where “Finsta” (second, often private Instagram account) and “Snapchat streaks” show interest in both public and private expression ways of curating one’s online persona with nuance. Some terms other generations might be confused when they hear:
- Delulu: Shorthand for delusional
- Fanum Tax: Theft of food from a friend
- Lit: Exciting, impressive, or fun.
- Rizz:Describes someone’s charisma or charm.
- Salty:Refers to someone bitter, irritated, or resentful.
The Rise of Micro-Influencers
One of the significant trends for Gen Alpha involves the rise of micro-influencers, who usually have much more modest-sized but highly active followings via social networks. More often than not, unlike traditional celebrities, these influencers create content about their personal lives. Certain words, such as “micro-creator” and “nano-influencer,” have become standard terms, reflecting the desire for genuineness and likeness instead of raw numbers. Gen Alpha attracts these figures because of the content, fundamental interactions, and suggestions that seem implied and exchanged within.
Leaning into Trends on TikTok
TikTok has been the cultural touchstone for Gen Alpha, and even its impact on language is deadly serious. The bursts of short-form video content introduced a raft of new slang and trends. Terms such as “FYP” for For You Page, “Dupe” for some version of a popular product that’s way cheaper, and “Vibe Check” have slipped into everyday conversations. The particular algorithm and format on this network push viral challenges and trends, adding to an ever-changing lexicon that usually passes beyond the limits of TikTok itself.
Impact of Gaming
The gaming culture highly influences the language of Gen Alpha. From “GG,” which means Good Game, to “Noob,” used for newbie or inexperienced players, to “Loot,” which refers to items obtained in games, the different terminology incorporated in everyday speech is just immense. Its platform, Discord, influenced terms like “Pings,” which refers to notifications, and “Lobbies,” which refers to game rooms, also used in other social circles nowadays. It’s where gaming meets social media; terms widen into a rich tapestry beyond gaming itself.
The Emergence of New Platforms
While the likes of Instagram and TikTok are in charge, new apps always emerge, which, in turn, affect language. Examples include “Threads” and “BeReal,” each providing a new way of posting and interacting. With the rise of such applications usually comes terminologies associated with how individuals work their way around these applications and their unique features and ways of socialization. A closer look at the use of hashtags is given below.
Wrapping Up
Gen Alpha’s language will constantly evolve, tempered by experiences unique to this generation and embracing technologies others may never know. The linguistic evolution witnessed is both creative and reflective of the exceptional online environment in which they find themselves. Knowing these new words and trends is one thing, but it also points to a broader shift in digital communication that affects all generations.