How Brain Rot Language Has Impacted Professionalism

Published on April 14, 2025, at 3:58 p.m.
by Abby Cope.

Social media has opened the door to countless opportunities, such as the start of content creation as a solid job pursuit, brand promotion and even becoming a source of news to younger generations. However, despite all the positive social media has done for the world, it has its negative side effects — specifically, becoming a major contributor to a lack of professionalism in those younger generations.

One of the hallmarks of social platforms are the trends they create, which usually are accompanied by particular hashtags or phrases. In recent years, especially with the rise of TikTok, these trending terms have become more and more niche and slang-oriented.

Brain rot language is defined by Merriam-Webster as the excessive consumption of online media, to the point of affecting mental function. That itself proves that brain rot is becoming a concerning issue — that a well-established dictionary now has an official definition for it. And that isn’t the only time these phrases have become solidified in our language. In 2024, one Oxford Dictionary’s “Word of the Year” was brain rot, after over 37,000 users voted that the word was the pinnacle of the year due to an increase in mindless scrolling on social media.

This rise in slang terminology not only affects Gen Z’s daily diction but also their overall sense of professionalism. It has become more and more common for online users to boast about their lack of professionalism in the workplace on social media. Whether it’s wearing comfy, casual attire to work or texting their boss rather than using email, these little changes are adding up to a larger problem.

In a study from Oxford University Press, brain rot terminology saw an astounding increase in usage of 230% from 2023-2024. Although one can claim that the use of this language is in jest or irony, the statistics don’t lie, as these words and phrases are only becoming more and more common in both online and in-person communication. It can be difficult to keep separate one’s personal and professional personas, but it’s vital in order to be perceived as efficient and as qualified as possible when looking for a job.

It is more pivotal now than ever for Gen Z and Gen Alpha to understand the urgency for a professional balance in life, as they are entering the stages in life where applying to jobs and meeting with hiring managers is the new normal.

Kennedy Studdard, manager, talent acquisition business partner for GroupM, gave her advice on how to put your best foot forward for students coming into the workplace.

“It’s about understanding oneself and knowing the environment you’re getting into,” Studdard said. “You have to know where you’re going and try to adapt to that. It’s about asking people you know that are employed or mentors about what they see in the industry, how you should show up and nuances you should look out for. You can even ask flat out, ‘Is this professional for me to do, or say or wear?’ The worst they’ll tell you is ‘No.’”

Once attaining a job, however, what are the next steps for a new recruit? Studdard believes it is vital to find a balance between personality and adaptability to your new environment.

“One of the biggest things about people coming into the workplace is wanting to stand out. Part of that is being a sponge — listening, learning and observing before coming in strong with your personality,” she explained. “However, be exactly who you are because you don’t want to mold yourself into something you’re not and then realize you’re not in the right space because of it. Know yourself first and understand what it is that you want, but have an open mind of learning new ways to who you are and how you show up in the workplace. You evolve and adapt as your environment evolves and adapts.”

Though being a part of the younger generation could be seen as a disadvantage to have so much knowledge of internet terms, it can also be helpful for some PR agencies. According to an article from the Financial Times, many firms across the country are hiring “Gen Z whisperers,” or advisers from younger generations to help firms staffed with older workers to tap into the headspace of certain target audiences.

Angelique Crawford, program manager for the the UA C&IS Career Satellite Office, believes that younger generations struggle with finding a balance between their social and professional personas due to an upbringing clouded by constant exposure to social platforms.

“What has happened with social media is that the digital and IRL [in real life] worlds’ lines have been blurred. For college students, like Gen Z, who have grown up fully immersed in that digital age, the lines aren’t as clear. While language has changed, slang changes all the time. I think the ability to figure out when and where is the appropriate time to use that type of language has gone away or has not been built appropriately.”

It is extremely important for the future of workplace dynamics to maintain a sense of overall professionalism when it is required. The Newport Institute suggests for users to decrease their social media exposure and find non-electronic hobbies to avoid falling victim to the depths of doom scrolling.

And younger generations aren’t the only ones with access to social media platforms. Crawford suggests that students looking to enter the workforce check in with themselves before hitting the “share” button.

“What I tell students about social media profiles is, ‘Would you want a potential employer to see what you’re posting?’ Asking those kinds of questions before you post is a good rule of thumb for students to practice, especially as they’re cleaning up social media accounts to enter the workforce. The thing that gets lost in translation is why you have to do this, but we have to create the line between our professional and personal lives,” Crawford advised.

It is essential to recognize the importance of maintaining professionalism, both in personal and professional settings and strike a balance between authenticity and professionalism for success in one’s career. By being mindful of when and where certain language is appropriate and actively taking a step away from social media every so often, one can ensure their first impressions are one that give them their best foot forward both in and outside of the workplace. The younger generations are pivotal in shaping workplace dynamics and best practices for future generations, and are the ones that can make that shift into a balance between one’s workplace and personal personas.