Thanks to short video style social media platforms such as Tiktok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, there’s always new trends to participate in. They change fast, since millions of people are trying to secure their claim to fame.
“I tried to keep up with trends in middle school, but now? Absolutely not. Once I got to high school, I focused on finding myself,” junior Catlyn Wadkins said.
Even with how fast trends come and go, some students attempt to keep pace.
“I don’t participate, but I like knowing them,” senior Destiny Williams said.
If it’s lucky, a trend will last longer than a few weeks.
“I like the ‘we listen and we don’t judge’ trend. My friend and I still do that one,” she said.
What trends that people see and enjoy can also depend on what other media they consume.
“To be honest, most of my favorite trends are related to K-Pop,” junior Hope Harper said.
Style and appearance has always been an influential part of trends.
“Some makeup trends are my favorite. I liked the boyfriend blush,” junior Natalie Gonzales said. “It suits my face shape.”
Some trends bring back ideas that may have been popular a while ago.
“I really liked that low rise jeans came back,” Wadkins said.
The trends that gain the most fame tend to be agreed upon by multiple students.
“Dance challenges are usually the most popular,” Harper said. “A lot of times it’s random memes too.”
Trends aren’t always positive, and sometimes they’re even harmful.
“I hate seeing the overconsumption of stuff, like clothes and other trends,” Gonzales said.
The internet allows trends and standards to become more widespread over the years.
“Our generation was basically raised with a cell phone in our face, so growing up we’ve always seen the perfect version of everyone,” Wadkins said. “I think that contributes a lot to how people see the quality of themselves.
