Exposure to streaming and social media blamed for children adopting US Americanisms

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, July 16, 2026

A survey found that British children are increasingly using American English terms like “movie” and “awesome,” influenced largely by streaming services, social media, and popular US-based influencers. This trend highlights concerns among parents about cultural and linguistic identity, as traditional British English vocabulary is gradually being replaced through widespread digital media exposure.

A recent survey highlights growing concern among British parents about the increasing use of American English expressions by children, a trend attributed largely to their exposure to streaming services and social media platforms. This linguistic shift, occurring amid heightened interest in global sporting events like the World Cup, has sparked particular attention given the traditional differences between British and American English.

The survey, conducted by the language-learning platform Preply and involving over 1,500 adults, identified commonly used Americanisms among British children. Words such as “movie,” “awesome,” and “ATM” ranked among the most frequently adopted terms, with “movie” cited by 40 percent of respondents as familiar vocabulary. Other prevalent Americanisms included “fries” rather than “chips,” “cookie” for “biscuit,” “apartment” over “flat,” and “sweater” instead of “jumper.”

Parents reported various sources influencing this linguistic borrowing, with television shows and films leading, followed by platforms like YouTube and TikTok, as well as music, online gaming, and social media networks including Instagram. Popular US-based influencers such as Ryan Kaji, a 14-year-old YouTube personality known for “Ryan’s World,” and Charli D’Amelio, a TikTok dancer, are especially influential among British teenagers. TV series—namely *Modern Family*, *Stranger Things* featuring Millie Bobby Brown, and *Wednesday*, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones—also rank among favored American programs contributing to the spread of Americanisms.

The study found that 23 percent of parents said their child regularly used American words and phrases, while 10 percent admitted to reprimanding their children for this usage and 19 percent said they had corrected them. Younger respondents, particularly those aged 18 to 24, noted a strong influence from TikTok, with half of this group attributing their adoption of American vocabulary to the platform.

Certain American terms elicited stronger negative reactions. “Diaper” was the most disliked Americanism, irritating 32 percent of British adults. “Soccer”—used instead of “football”—ranked second with 22 percent expressing frustration. Other contentious terms included “sneakers” (trainers), “bangs” (fringe), “pants” (trousers), “candy” (sweets), and “vacation” (holiday).

Preply commented that language shifts often provoke strong feelings when tied to aspects of identity, such as childhood, sports, or national culture. It noted the gradual nature of such changes, emphasizing that repeated exposure to new terms through media and social interactions gradually leads these words to become part of everyday language.

The findings underscore ongoing debates about the influence of American culture on British English, suggesting that as digital media consumption grows, so too does the blending of linguistic boundaries between the two varieties of English.

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