Know Your Skibidi: Navigating Gen Alpha’s Slang Types and Trend on Social Media X

Abstract

Language evolves as society and technology progress, with each generation developing its own unique forms of expression. Gen Alpha, the cohort born after 2013, is no exception, using distinct slang that reflects its digital upbringing.  As a demographic that has emerged in a period of advanced technology, Gen Alpha has its own slang that set themselves apart from different generations and known as “brainrot” (Dispatch, 2024). This study explores the types of slang used by Gen Alpha in videos shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and determines which types are most dominant in their everyday language. Employing a Descriptive Qualitative method and employed a Non-Participant Observer, the data were gathered from 10 selected videos, uncovering 46 instances of Gen Alpha slang. The findings categorize the slang into five types adapted from Partridge (Partridge, 2015) and Puspita and Ardianto (Puspita & Ardianto, 2024 ) slang category: Fresh and creative, Flippant, Imitative, Acronyms, and Clipping, which demonstrate the creativity and flexibility of Gen Alpha's linguistic expressions. Furthermore, the study reveals broader implications for understanding generational shifts in communication, the influence of digital media on language, how slang serves as a bridge between subcultures, and crucial future research.