The Internet is a place where we can talk freely. But it is also a place where we pay little attention to whether or not our language skill is becoming poorer.

According to a recent survey by China Youth Daily, more than 76% of young people in China said they felt their Chinese language skills have declined(衰退). They don't use complex rhetorical technique(修辞手法) as often anymore. It is believed that digital technology and Internet memes(表情包) have changed their communication habits.

For example, direct expression is the preferred way to communicate online. When one sees something funny, one will simply type "hahaha" or use the "cry-laugh" emoji(表情符号), Beijing Youth Daily noted.

Also, "copy and paste" culture is getting popular. People simply pick up expressions from the internet without much thought. Many begin to use a fixed set of sentence pattern, such as "whenever you disagree with each other, you...(一言不合就…)"

Cai Xiaojia (not her real name), a teacher from Fuzhou, told China Youth Daily that words in general are being used less. For example, people can share photos online with little need for words to describe them.

If this trend(趋势) continues, it could influence our way of thinking, People's Daily noted. When we use expressions without thinking, it means we have become too lazy to express our real feelings. If teenagers get used to casual(不正式的) methods of expression like emojis, they could lose the ability to use words properly.

To improve our language skills, experts suggest that we should try to think independently and develop our own language logic(逻辑). They also suggest that we should read more works of literature. "Keep using various words to show your special feelings," said Shen Xiaolong, a professor in the Chinese department at Fudan University.

Young people can have problems with their minds. Some students become worried because they have to study very hard. Others have trouble getting on well with people like their parents and classmates.

Liu Wei，a junior 2 student from Hefei，could not understand his teacher and was doing badly in his lessons. He became so worried about it that he started to cut his finger with a knife. Another student，14-year-old Yan Fang from Guangzhou，was afraid of exams. She got very worried when she looked at the exam paper. She couldn’t think of anything to write.

A recent report from Jiefang Daily says about 18％ of Shanghai teenagers have mental(心理的)problems. Their troubles include(包括)being worried and very unhappy. And they have problems in learning and getting on with people. Many students who have problems won’t ask others for advice(劝告)or help. Some think they will look stupid(愚蠢的)if they go to see a doctor. Others don’t want to talk about their secret. Liang Yuezhu，an expert on teenagers from Beijing Anding Hospital has the following advice for teenagers.