Goal: This ethnographic study attempted to investigate the effect of peers on the EFL learners’ language socialization (LS) and implementation of politeness strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: The data-gathering instruments include class observation, semi-structured interviews, researcher notes, audio-recorded files, and student journals. To analyze data, they ran MAXQDA analytic pro-2020 based on direct qualitative content analysis. Results: According to the seven principles of LS (Lee & Bucholtz, 2015), the results revealed eleven sub-categories: Behavioral adaptation in cyberspace, creating a common group language, sharing knowledge in new ways, digital support networks, developing social identity, reinforced negative politeness, strategic rotation, positive digital politeness, modulating humor, modulating hierarchy, and reviewing politeness. Conclusion: In conclusion, peers are very influential in the learners’ LS. Besides, Iranian EFL learners employed positive and negative politeness strategies in interacting with their teachers and peers. The implication of the study is for the researchers to become familiar with executing a netnography in virtual setting. Furthermore, this study have an implication for parents, teachers, and learners in that they should be so careful about the relation of the learners and peers and how much they can effect on their learning process.

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