When we open Instagram, Twitter (X), or TikTok, there are always memes popping up on our timelines. Sometimes they’re silly, sometimes they’re sarcastic, but they always manage to make us pause for a moment and laugh. Memes have become an essential part of our digital lives, a new slang that almost everyone on the internet understands. What’s interesting is that a single meme can be understood across cultures and languages. A student in Indonesia can relate to a meme about staying up all night, just as a student in America or Japan can. This is why memes are referred to as the language of the internet that breaks through traditional communication barriers.

According to an article, memes aren’t just for entertainment. They can be used for social activism, political campaigns, and even raising public awareness about specific issues (Journalift, 2022). For example, when environmental issues are trending, many memes about global warming or single use plastics circulate. Because memes are short and visual, important messages become easier to grasp and spread. In other words, memes have the power to both entertain and educate simultaneously.

This is also evidenced by research conducted by Petrova (2021). In her survey, nearly 77% of respondents followed meme accounts, while 43% shared memes more than five times a day (Petrova, 2021). Additionally, around 9% of respondents admitted to using memes as substitutes for words when chatting. Imagine memes are no longer just entertainment, but are truly used as a daily communication tool. Social media has become the primary platform for sharing memes, particularly on Instagram and Twitter, which enable rapid dissemination to millions of people.

Of course, there is also a dark side. Petrova emphasizes that memes can reinforce stereotypes and strengthen prejudices if used without cultural sensitivity. For example, memes that mock certain groups can exacerbate discrimination. Therefore, even though memes are often considered trivial, we still need to critically examine their meaning. On the positive side, when used wisely, memes can actually serve as an enjoyable medium for digital literacy and cultural education.

Ultimately, the language of memes reflects the current state of internet culture. It grows quickly, is creative, sometimes absurd, but often full of meaning. From mere jokes, memes have evolved into a medium for communication, solidarity, and even social criticism. And as long as the internet exists, memes will continue to grow as a global language that unites people across cultures.

References:

• Journalift. (2022). Memes: The language of the internet that overcomes cultural barriers.
• Petrova, T. (2021). Meme language: its impact on digital culture and collective thinking. E3S Web of Conferences 273, 11026

Content Writer: Della Aulia Feronica

Editor: Florenia Neve Suryani