Canva has launched a new language setting called “English (chronically online)”, reflecting how internet slang and digital culture are increasingly shaping the way people communicate — not just socially, but also in the workplace.
The update, announced on 22 January 2025, allows users to interact with Canva’s interface and AI tools using language popularised by online communities. Buttons, tooltips and AI chat responses are rewritten in familiar internet vocabulary, turning phrases such as “make it pop, but subtle” or “main character energy” into valid creative inputs.
The company says the move responds to changing communication patterns among younger, digitally native users who grew up online and now bring that language into professional settings. Canva has become a widely used design platform in offices, particularly among Gen Z employees who first used the tool as students.
According to Canva, users are already prompting its AI with informal, slang-driven phrases. Rather than forcing users to adapt to formal instructions, the platform is adapting to how people naturally express ideas online. Alongside the language update, Canva has also introduced a set of templates inspired by internet culture, complete with hidden references and playful design elements.
The company believes the timing reflects a broader cultural shift. By 2030, Gen Z is expected to make up nearly 30% of the US workforce. Canva says its data shows a sharp rise in searches using internet slang over the past year, including terms such as “slay”, “rizz” and “spill the tea”.
Canva currently supports around 260 million monthly users across more than 100 languages. The addition of “chronically online” English expands that offering by formally recognising online vernacular as a legitimate mode of communication.
Users can activate the feature through Canva’s settings by selecting English (chronically online) under the language options.
Founded in 2013, Canva operates in over 190 countries and positions itself as an all-in-one visual communication platform for individuals, businesses and institutions worldwide.
