Introduction

The proliferation of digital communication technologies has revolutionized the way people interact and exchange information.  Several studies have proven that WhatsApp is the most used communication tool of choice for individuals of all age groups, particularly among students. This is because of its user-friendly interface, cross-platform compatibility, and end-to-end encryption, its ease of use and the ability to maintain both one-on-one and group conversations. These noted points have solidified WhatsApp’s place in the lives of students, serving as a seemingly indispensable platform for social interaction, academic collaboration, and information exchange. 

Who Developed WhatsApp and When? 

WhatsApp was developed by Jan Koum and Brian Acton and was first launched in 2009 and later acquired by the owner of Facebook, Mark Zukerberg in 2014.  It is a cross-platform instant messaging application that is designed for smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers, and it allows users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, share images, videos, documents, and other media files. WhatsApp is available for a wide range of operating systems, including IOS, Android, and web browsers, making it accessible to a broad user base.

The Definition of Slang and the WhatsApp Slang Language

Slang is a type of informal language that is made of words and phrases. Slang is more common in speech than writing and is typically restricted to a particular context or group of people. WhatsApp slang/language is a reflection of the adaptability of language in the digital age. It serves as a linguistic bridge that enables informal communication in digital interactions. 

The Positive Impacts of WhatsApp Slang/Language to Students

The positive impacts of WhatsApp slang to students cannot be overemphasized. Thus, enhances social bonds and fosters a sense of belonging among students which shapes the quality of digital interactions among them. It also enhances informal exchanges; facilitates quicker and easier communication among students, reflects shifts in culture, identity, and social trends that give students the privilege to a dynamic and ever-evolving aspect of language in which new words and phrases are always learned and adopted which reflects several words in summary.

Negative Impacts of WhatsApp Slang/Language to Students 

Irrespective of the aforementioned positive impacts of WhatsApp Slang to students, its excessive and constant use may compromise and or pose challenges to students to lack clarity in writing which has the potential to lead to misinterpretations or confusion, over simplifying language, reducing complexity and nuance of expression, and poor spelling ability and grammatical inaccuracy while deviating students from the traditional way of spelling words and grammatical rules, affecting language proficiency and communication skills of students that poses confusion for teachers while going through such writings. Also, addictions to informal communication that may not be suitable for academic and professional purposes, reinforce linguistic errors, limit vocabulary expansion and compromise academic and professional performance. 

Conclusion

While slang usage on social media and messaging applications is not limited to students, it is viewed in perspective as a dynamic and ever-evolving aspect of language that its demographic variations usage demonstrates its context-dependent nature, influenced by factors such as age, gender, and geographical location.