Do you enjoy using social media? If you do, you probably know all of the trends that swarm around the platforms. The most popular social media apps include Snapchat, Instagram, and TikTok. Most trends occur on the platform TikTok, the platform is a short video hosting service where many people can post their creative and relatable ideas. On this platform, trends have included dance challenges, lip syncing videos, and fashion trends. My opinions on social media platforms is not what this topic is about, rather, it is about how it has influenced our society today. 

And I have to agree. It’s not a bad thing that people want to follow what their peers are doing, and that’s just our way of trying to “fit in.” For example, after a viral sound on TikTok or a dance, the next day at school that is what everybody starts humming, singing, and dancing to. To add on, back in 2019 when Charli D’Amelio posted her viral TikTok, ‘Renegade,’ that is only what people would talk about, sing about, and dance about. 

People can post their creative and relatable ideas. On this platform, trends have included dance challenges, lip syncing videos, and fashion trends. My opinions on social media platforms is not what this topic is about, rather, it is about how it has influenced our society today.

Over the last couple of years social media usage has surged rapidly. By 2021 at least half the world started to use social media; teens between the ages of 10-17 have said to use it the most. 

Trends on social media platforms, especially TikTok, spread quickly amongst teens because of the bandwagon effect. The bandwagon effect, a psychological behavior that tends to describe people adopting certain behaviors, styles, or attitudes simply because their peers are doing it. 

 It’s not a bad thing that people want to follow what their peers are doing, and that’s just our way of trying to “fit in.” For example, after a viral sound on TikTok or a dance, the next day at school that is what everybody starts humming, singing, and dancing to. To add on, back in 2019 when Charli D’Amelio posted her viral TikTok, ‘Renegade,’ that is only what people would talk about, sing about, and dance about.

Coming from just one person and drastically influencing other people really shows the effects of peer doing. For everyone to follow the trends, gives a sense of unity and harmony with each other; giving us one big voice in our society. 

And I think because of social media society has been greatly influenced as well as people too. Short video clips with catchy tunes being posted and then suddenly going viral has really shaped what people want the most nowadays. 

Being able to experience a drastic influence on our society has had many positive impacts, as well as negative ones. However, by majority many people have enjoyed participating in trends as it feels we have come together to feel more harmonic and a whole.