From inescapable memes like 67 all the way to the new “performative” lifestyle, Heritage High School students are following along to all of them in excitement just anticipating what’s to come.

Starting off the year strong, people alike engaged in a new term titled “brainrot,” ranging from made up words to interestingly made dances. The reasoning behind these made up trends aren’t definitive, but it is worth noting that they are what they’ve become mainly due to the major increase in social media usage. 

For lots of reasons, social media usage has hit an all time high, promoting the hilariously absurd memes that plaster our “for you pages.” With the uprise of these videos, it’s also cultivating a new and almost unseen culture of our generation – a culture that prioritizes mental health while also promoting unserious hilarity. 

These kinds of things are seen mostly through modern day humor, where it is sensitive to how jokes could affect somebody, but also being able to take something they do not see as serious and transform it into something people can have a laugh about. 

In recent times though, social media has also called for a lot of change. Public figures like Greta Thunberg and more use the easily accessible apps to spread their views in hopes of causing a change in the way the world is currently going. 

In relation to change, people are switching to clothing to bring them confidence. Although visual appeal can boost self esteem, in reality, confidence comes from within. A common example of this is if you happen to be trying on clothes and you come across a piece that makes you feel happy, but instead of purchasing it, you put it back in fear of judgement. The best way to combat this is rather than focusing on what others think and focusing on the impact you’re making by staying true to yourself. 

Most celebrities these days wear “wild” outfits with lots of people not necessarily understanding what it is or why they’re wearing it, but those are the same celebrities that are most confident. They walk the world, worry free, knowing their own inner beauty. 

Despite social media being used for creating and bringing people their voices, it also harnesses an underground side of communities. This year has been nothing short of transformative for everyone, including the influence it has on topics like fashion. 

“I feel like fashion has such an impact on society because it allows people to be more confident in themselves and how the outside world perceives them,” said Fischer LaPlant (10).

All in all, social media is truly an umbrella for all different kinds of apps that give creators globally a platform to formulate change. Maximizing the use of social media may not be something lots of students necessarily did this year, but there is always a next. 

“I honestly love social media. I love being able to see all these different cultures and things people are experiencing. I think it’s a great way of communicating and showing people what’s happening in the world,” said Montana Price (11).