INDONESIAN SLANG AND ITS SOCIOLINGUISTIC IMPACT IN THE DIGITAL ERA

Annotasiya

This study reviews the sociolinguistic implications of Indonesian slang in the digital era. Informal language is becoming increasingly popular among Indonesian teenagers in line with the growing appeal of digital communication platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter (X). This study aims to examine how Indonesian slang functions as a space for developing new language, a tool for communicating with others, and a marker of identity. Data were collected using a qualitative descriptive approach from social media texts, which included comments, memes, and captions. The research findings reflect that Indonesian slang has features such as the creation of new vocabulary, the use of abbreviations, code-switching, and changes in meaning. From a sociolinguistic paradigm, slang reflects the identity of the younger generation, strengthens group bonds, and creates diverse perceptions of prestige and stigma across various societal structures. Furthermore, the role of influencers and digital media accelerates the spread and acceptance of slang. This study contributes to understanding how language changes in the digital era. This also emphasizes the importance of stability between the creativity of informal language and the ability to correctly apply formal language.