With modern technology becoming more prevalent than ever, social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram have risen in popularity. These platforms allow others to come across online guidance and advice on relationships, daily decision-making and personal growth, according to “TikTok and Romantic Relationships: a Qualitative Descriptive Analysis,” which was published in the American Journal of Qualitative Research.
Sophomore Ace Ouk (she/they) said she uses Instagram and TikTok for at least an hour each day. Ouk said that she does not follow relationship or life advice from social media. However, she has noticed that the prevalence of online guidance can cause students to embrace ideas of an idealized life that can stray far away from the reality of the average person.
“We see all these videos of people getting up at 6 a.m., but no one is actually doing that,” Ouk said. “It puts up this perception of who we have to be, but not who we actually are.”
Several social media trends are centered around guiding others’ lives through advice and tips. The “All Roads Lead to Rome” trend — frequently used in discussions about relationships — conveys the idea that different choices ultimately arrive at the same negative outcome. Videos of this trend can often feature a white rabbit with a clock to signify that time is only ticking before things go wrong. Freshman Aubrey Schultz (she/her), who mainly uses Instagram in her free time to catch up with her friends, said that she believes the “All Roads Lead to Rome” trend seriously negatively affects a person’s perspective on life and what pursuits may seem worth the time or not.
“If you really want to put effort into something, you shouldn’t be listening to, ‘oh it’s not gonna work anyways, why should I do it,’” Schultz said.
Schultz said that the trend of overconsumption also guides people to buy more than they need. There are numerous videos following the “haul” trend where people showcase their closets filled with clothes or large Christmas hauls. Schultz said this could cause insecurity in viewers, leading them to feel envious and ultimately contributing to even more overconsumption as they buy more and more.
“This sets a standard for kids and parents,” Schultz said. “Seeing this, you’re gonna want to buy more even if you don’t need it.”
Schultz said that people who tend to rely constantly on social media trends often push their own personal improvement to the side, instead focusing on how others see them. This mindset of focusing on others’ perception of you is toxic and can influence others to approach relationships and life expecting disappointment.
When a person’s life constantly revolves around online fads, Ouk said that this can lead to negative habits such as overconsumption.
“People worry too much about what’s trending online,” Ouk said. “That also leads to the overconsumption of buying things, and once it’s not trending, you end up throwing it out, and it all ends up in landfills.”
Schultz said the obsession with online trends can pull focus away from more personal choices and lifestyles. Keeping up with what’s popular online can create a sense of community, but this takes away the time and attention that could otherwise be put towards a person’s goals, hobbies or accomplishments. Ouk said she discourages following these social media trends closely. Instead, she emphasizes that it’s more important for people to spend this time and energy focusing on their own lives and dreams rather than conforming to trends. Schultz said that one’s personal happiness should take priority over online trends that convey negativity.
“Everyone should be looking forward to something,” Schultz said. “If you’re not looking forward to something, you don’t really have a reason to go on with your everyday life.”
Both Schultz and Ouk recognize the impact of social media on a person’s well-being, leading to a possibly negative mental state. Focusing on one’s own goals and maintaining a positive outlook on life can counteract negativity that often spreads online and online trends that draw attention away from meaningful ambitions.
“It’s more important to be happy in the moment than giving up before you even start,” Schultz said.
