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.