The Influence of English Code-Mixing in Social Media Content on the Language Attitudes of Indonesian Youth

Abstract

The phenomenon of English code mixing in digital communication has become increasingly prominent among Indonesian adolescents, particularly as social media functions as their primary space for interaction, self-expression, and identity negotiation. This study aims to describe the patterns of code mixing use, the socio linguistic motivations that shape these practices, and their influence on adolescents’ language attitudes by employing a qualitative descriptive approach based on document analysis. The findings reveal that code mixing appears in various linguistic units, including words, phrases, and clauses, and serves multiple communicative purposes such as expressing identity, enhancing interpersonal engagement, and aligning with globalized youth culture. The motivations underlying these practices are influenced by language prestige, peer group dynamics, digital social expectations, and self presentation strategies that integrate both local and global identity orientations. Furthermore, the study shows that adolescents’ language attitudes demonstrate a dual orientation. While Indonesian is still highly valued in formal, academic, and national identity contexts, English is perceived as expressive, modern, and socially advantageous for digital communication. This duality reflects the flexible and adaptive nature of adolescents’ linguistic identities, shaped by continual exposure to global content and participation in multilingual online environments. The findings also indicate that code mixing should not be interpreted as a threat to the national language; rather, it represents a natural linguistic response within multilingual societies experiencing rapid technological and cultural shifts. Therefore, language education and policy interventions should promote context-appropriate use of Indonesian while accommodating the creative and innovative linguistic practices that emerge within digital youth communication.