21 Jul 2022  |   05:02am IST

The two sides of ‘trending’ on social media

There is more than what meets the eye with social media trends as Goa’s youth explain why more youngsters want to be trendsetters

Shimron Nathan

Y

outh are pressured into feeling like they need to belong somewhere or they have to make an impact and inspire people. Trends have been seen to affect a lot of the younger generation students and influence them to try new things and dabble in ‘challenges’ that the internet deems worthy. Some of the youth set their focus beyond the practical trends in terms of fashion or food and have their mind set on social media trends. Trends that follow the line of content creation have youngsters hooked on and as they come and go, students look to grow online.

Many students, who consider themselves as part of the audience of the big show called the internet, share their thoughts on influencers and content creators immediately hopping onto fresh trends. Rachel Rodrigues, a student from Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Panjim, speaks about how most students find it essential to maintain a social media presence. She says, “I feel following trends is important on social media these days because they help to get good reach on social media and help to maintain the social media presence as well.” She points out that even though social media engagement is important for laymen, they do not go out of their way to follow every trend as influencers do.

“Trends are something that didn’t come into existence only due to social media. A behavioral pattern seen in crowds, followed as a momentary craze, was always there. Personally, even before joining social media platforms, ‘trends’ have never been of so much importance to me. It was just another recreational activity. Also, since my page doesn’t depend on it yet, it’s easier for me to let go of that pressure of joining a trending moment”, says Mrunalini Pai, a mass communication student of Don Bosco College, Panjim. She observes how trends have a hold on some Instagrammers while some people just swipe away without paying any attention to the same trends.

Other students look for the bare minimum of likes and comments of their friends on their social media pages. Mrunalini continues to say that students not only compulsively follow trends on social media to ‘fit in’ but aim for the minuscule number difference in comments and views. She states, “However, beyond the attempt to fit into the algorithm by jumping onto the bandwagon, I think some people or social media pages overdo it as every trend may not really be entertaining. I understand it’s done for the reach, but sometimes the hunger for numbers takes over their brand voice. Besides, peer pressure definitely plays a role in making people feel that they would lose out on engagement if they don’t follow trends. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with following trends, but too much of anything is always bad.”

Manisha Naik, a student residing in Calangute, shares her views on trends and this generation, as she talks about it being a priority for content creators to stay relevant as social media is an ever evolving place. She says, “A lot of people think influencers or content creators are entitled to post some pointless trend because of their large fan base but that’s not the case. A lot of interaction on social media comes from trends. New people find their pages through the various algorithms of the platforms and they grow. Some content creators even get paid for such high numbers.” She explains that she doesn’t think it’s fair that influencers receive such backlash for simply keeping their page up to date.

Daniel Vaz, a student from St Xavier’s College, Mapusa, has noticed how important it was for the younger generations to follow these social media trends. He says, “I see many of my young friends doing dances and following some other transformation crazes on Instagram almost everyday. I don’t think that this generation absolutely needs to follow trends besides people whose livelihood depends on it. The younger children follow trends for the fun of it while the teens do it just to get their five seconds of fame.”

These students have begun highlighting that there are always two sides to a story like how trends can be a necessity but also a fun pass time. Social media trends have that effect on young people to trigger their subconscious desire to fit and feel validated but also a great way for a child to stand up and say “hey, let me try this too!” and “let me share how I can do this too” which gives them that little extra push into a more confident future.