The author graduated from high school 14 years ago and feels like a dinosaur when observing popular trends among today’s youth. Redditor u/Fyre-Bringer asked what baffles older generations about the behaviors of younger individuals, resulting in various responses. Some examples include kids having full skincare routines at a young age, seeking information through TikTok rather than traditional sources like Google, and using phones as their primary computing device instead of laptops. The shift from asking for phone numbers to exchanging Snapchats for communication, and the prevalence of overly long eyelashes and nails are also mentioned as confusing trends.
Another baffling behavior is the tendency of younger people to share their location constantly with friends on social media, leading to concerns about privacy and boundaries. Additionally, the self-labeling and fearfulness among youth, the reluctance to learn how to drive, and the emphasis on material possessions like phone brands are highlighted as perplexing aspects of modern society. The popularity of short video content over traditional television shows and movies, and the ridiculing of others for trivial things like water tumblers or sock styles also stand out as examples of confusing trends among younger generations.
Other puzzling behaviors mentioned include the use of speakerphone during phone calls, the rise in nicotine addiction among young individuals, and the trend of creating crowdfunding campaigns for cosmetic surgery. Instances of crimes committed as part of social media challenges, such as tampering with food products in stores, are also alarming. The lack of basic punctuation skills, the revival of thin ’90s eyebrows, and the fascination with watching videos of others playing with toys on YouTube are additional examples of confusing trends cited by older individuals.
The decline in literacy rates, the inability to use punctuation correctly, and the desire for preventative Botox among some younger individuals are also mentioned as troubling trends. The ongoing popularity of vaping despite known health risks, as well as the general reliance on inhaling substances for recreation, are criticized by older generations. Overall, the disconnect between the behaviors and attitudes of different generations highlights the challenges of understanding and adapting to evolving societal norms and trends.
