IMPACT OF DIGITAL MEDIA ON LANGUAGE USE AMONG UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS IN DELTA STATE

This study investigates the impact of digital media on language use among undergraduate students in Delta State, Nigeria. With the widespread adoption of platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok, concerns have emerged regarding their influence on students’ academic writing and oral communication. The research employed a descriptive survey design and utilized a structured questionnaire to gather data from 100 undergraduate students across 100 to 400 levels from the University of Delta, Agbor and Dennis Osadebay University, Asaba. The study aimed to examine how frequently students engage with digital media, the linguistic patterns emerging from such usage, and the extent to which these platforms affect their command of formal language. Data collected were analyzed using frequency counts, percentage distribution, mean, standard deviation, and Chi-square statistical techniques to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that digital media significantly influence students' language use, particularly in areas of spelling, grammar, and sentence construction. While digital platforms enhance creativity and speed of communication, they also promote the normalization of abbreviations, slang, and informal expressions in academic contexts. The study concludes that digital media use contributes both positively and negatively to language development. It recommends integrating digital literacy into university curricula to balance the benefits of new media with the preservation of standard language norms.