The Trend Trap!
Open any social media app today and you will see a flood of trends, dance challenges, fashion hacks, new slangs, viral aesthetics, lifestyle choices, even career advice, all served in bite-sized, fast-scrolling clips. For today’s youth, it can feel like keeping up is not a choice but a necessity.
But as the world moves faster, it is worth pausing to ask: are we shaping our tastes or are the trends shaping us?
There is no denying that trends can be exciting. They bring people together and create shared moments. A catchy song can inspire thousands to dance. A fashion trend can become a cultural movement. A wellness vogue might introduce someone to better habits. Not every trend is harmless. But what happens when young minds start following trends without asking why or whether it suits them at all? Are you buying that pricey collectible because you love it, or because everyone else has it? Are you actually into that fashion trend, or are you just afraid of looking “outdated” online?
Take Labubu, for instance. Some people might not even find it cute, still spend big money just to own one because it’s trending. Matcha tea? Let’s be honest, it can taste bitter to a lot of people, but they will still post it with a caption like “My morning fix.” And wide-leg pants now are like the only acceptable choice for bottoms. Add to that the Dubai kunafa chocolate craze (which, as a sweet tooth, I completely understand lol).
Then there are the giant Stanley cups. Those weird-looking big tumblers don’t even seem comfortable to carry, yet people walk around with them like a fashion statement. It feels like the same story as those Starbucks cups people roam the streets with even after they are empty, purely for show. Crocs are another story. They are everywhere, along with their knockoffs on nearly every pair of feet. They do seem comfortable and perfect for the rainy season though.
Oh, and what about Boba tea? Have we already forgotten it now that matcha has taken over the spotlight? I recently read that matcha has gotten so popular that there’s reportedly a global shortage now. A shortage caused by a trend woah!
The risk lies in the loss of individuality. When choices are made just to fit in or avoid FOMO, it gradually becomes harder to hear your own voice amidst the noise. Do we really like these things, or do we like being seen liking them?
In the race to stay relevant, critical thinking often takes a back seat. Are we actually enjoying these things, or are we just trying to fit into what “cool” looks like this week?
The problem is not with the trends themselves but with the blind following. Trying out what is new is natural. But doing so mindlessly can lead to confusion, anxiety and a false sense of identity. Today it is one look, tomorrow it is the opposite. Are we discovering ourselves or simply becoming mirrors for what the internet reflects?
To the youth reading this, explore, try new things, have fun, but also trust your instincts. You do not need to follow every trend to belong. Sometimes being different is more powerful.
Social media algorithms keep feeding what is popular, and suddenly it feels like everyone is living the same life. Trends come and go, and the internet will always find a new one for us to chase, but your personal taste, style, and voice? That’s what sticks around. Follow trends if you want, but follow yourself first, follow your heart.
Some trends fade, but reading never goes out of style—happy reading!
ROSHNI Chakravartty | Chief Editor
Kishor Barta