The Impact of Trends

The Impact of Social Media and Trends on the Youth and World Around Us

Annabella Graffius, Audrey Culler, Syndus Owens

Published October, 2024

With the sudden global reach of social media and the grip that it has on people of all ages worldwide, it is expected that trends have affected audiences internationally. Whether that be through apps such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, or Facebook, consumers of any type of media are influenced daily.

According to Statista, one of the most popular social media platforms used today is TikTok. On this app, users are able to watch and create short form content which can then be seen all over the world. The Social Shepherd reports that daily, an average of 34 million videos are created on the platform for the public. With so much content to sift through, how are global trends even created?

Examples of Popular Social Media Trends  - Left: Jasmin and James viral dancing - Right - Kayla Gresh snack restocking

What people watch is almost entirely based on the algorithm. Social media’s algorithms uses likes, comments, shares, and views to alter people’s feed and what kind of media they consume. NDDTreatment explains that “TikTok’s secret lies in its use of music and a powerful algorithm, which learns what content users like to see far faster than other apps” however, it’s not just TikTok. Almost all social media uses filters such as friends, followers, and what people consume to give them more of what they like. This in turn makes one more likely to spend more time online.

When a video gains likes, views, and comments, it becomes more mainstream. If it is interacted with by means of watching, sharing, or commenting by enough people, a viral video is born. When a viral video hits the world’s feed, its viewership grows rapidly. As it reaches a widespread audience, more and more people are able to connect over it and react to it, creating a trend.

Trends may seem fun and harmless. It’s exciting to participate in dance routines and videos that can be seen all over the world and have the possibility to go viral. “TikTok and Youth Mental Health” states, however, that “according to one recent study, high levels of social media use over the span of four years was associated with increased depression among middle and high school youths.” It seems that at the root of all the glitz of social media and the glam of taking part in a global craze, there is something deeper. The increase of depression among youth has grown with the expansion of the media and teens feeling the need to compare themselves with others on these online sites.

On top of this, participation in trends such as the "Nutmeg Challenge" (involved users eating a large scoop of dry nutmeg), the "Blackout Challenge" (had people hold their breaths until the point of asphyxiation or passing out), and the "Tide Pod Challenge" (involved users ingesting Tide Pod laundry detergent) are linked to the deaths of twenty children in eighteen months. The Independent reports that “15 victims of the challenge were aged 12 or younger.”

Social Media has benefits too. NDDTreatment says “TikTok has become more than just a platform for entertainment; it has evolved into a space where creativity, community, education, and enjoyment intersect. This multifaceted platform offers a range of benefits that cater to different user needs and preferences, making it a versatile tool for various purposes.” So although the youth spends much time on social media, they get the opportunity to learn more too. Their feed is filled with the people’s unique interests.

Also, social media trends can get small businesses out there for the world to see. Guy Kawasaki, an American marketing specialist and author, says “A large social-media presence is important because it’s one of the last ways to conduct cost-effective marketing. Everything else involves buying eyeballs and ears. Social media enables a small business to earn eyeballs and ears.” A perfect example of this is Cassey Ho. She started as a biology student with a passion for fashion design. In 2009, she posted her first workout video on YouTube. Since then, her following has grown to over ten million followers on all platforms. Because of her social media following, she has been able to go full time on her designs and has become an extremely successful influencer and designer. Without YouTube and the other media she put out, she wouldn’t have been able to get to where she is currently.

Between TikTok, YouTube, and all media in between, trends impact everyone’s lives, whether they’re conscious of it or not. Trends have altered how people view fashion, politics, their community, food, world views, and the people around them. Trends contain both the good the bad, and the grey. Being conscious of how young people use social media and what they're consuming is extremely important in this day and age and in the future as we know it.