Gen-Z users are tech-savvy and highly involved with their social media. Which is why they use TikTok to find entertainment, inspiration, and community. We can confidently say that TikTok is one of the most defining platforms that Gen Z identifies with. TikTok’s aesthetic and unique video style makes the social site appealing. The platform is highly aligned with this generation’s overall desire for more organic, personalized content. What started off as a Gen Z app now spans across Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and soon-to-be Gen Alpha (some Gen A are already on the app through their parents!) No other age group has popularized lingo, songs, or trends in pop culture like the youth of today. Here’s an easy guide explaining the slang behind some of TikTok’s most viral videos and trends.

First, let’s start off with some lit visual trends. One thing the following trends have in common is that they capture the imagination. These trends do an awesome job at quite literally painting a picture! Starting strong we have the ‘Tell Me Without Telling Me’ trend. The #tellmewithouttellingme, trend lets creators fix almost anything in a fun way. Typically, the creator will say something like, “Tell me you’re in college without telling me you’re in college. I’ll go first.” We love these videos because the trend is long-lasting and is relatable ‘af’ to every topic!

Here we’ll list out a few more similar trends. Are you into photography? The #WhatImeanwhenIsayI’mfrom, trend shows off your original (OG) roots through the simple use of pictures. This is an efficiency that Gen Z often prefers. We are also loving the #GoogleEarth, trend where we can zoom into beautiful landmarks. Who knows, you might learn a thing or two about geography as well! Ever feel like you’re the star of your own movie? Then the #MainCharacter, trend is for you. This trend on TikTok is a series of videos referencing cliche characters where you can show off their unique and hilarious personalities.

Everyone loves a fit check. Be sure to check out the #OutfitoftheDay, (OOTD) trend to show off your style. We are obsessed with the #Don’tbesurprisedifonedayIjust, trend as it shows off Gen Z’s crazy imagination about living out their dream lives. Who doesn’t want to quit their job and travel the world? There are too many trends to count! More include the #3Dphoto, trend the #AdultSwim, short art film trend and the #shapeshiftlookaliketoacelebrity, trend. These all have incredible potential for the “I’m dead” type of laughs!

Any iconic Tik Tok sound can perk up Gen Z’s ear. Next on the list is audio-based trends! The #Sheeeshhh, trend sound can be used for almost anything. Gen Z typically uses it to show off themselves or their partner; we love confident kings and queens! Do your prefer using DM’s over texting? Turning your #InstaDMs, into inspirational quotes and reading them pokes fun at some of the crazy messages on the internet. It does indeed ‘go down in the DM’s!’ We are living for the trend of #lip-syncing to Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well.’ Who doesn’t love a good TS bop? Next in line is the #Iwasbusythinkingbout, trend. Tik Tokers lipsync those words and follow it up with something random they’ve been thinking about. This can get pretty creative. The most recent #MaterialGirl, trend is a perfect example of how something so simple can create hilarious content. Creators just use this catchy, one-line sound and put a video where they feel like an absolute boss.

Tik Tok has more trends that fall into just visual or audio-based categories. There are endless types of videos users can create! For example, recreating chef Emily Mariko’s #salmonricebowl, has been all the buzz recently. We are absolutely living for it! Users also reenact her facial expressions as she takes a bite of her creations. Eating yummy food is a trend we can definitely get behind! Gen X’er Carla Rockmore also defies typical trends. At 54 years old Carla is killing the style game. She became popular because of her trend to bizarrely mix and match clothing pieces. Millennial Emily and Gen X’er Carla just goes to show how popular different generations can be on this app. While it’s clear that Gen Z owns Tik Tok trends, Gen X and Millenials have hopped on the bandwagon. The app is even more special because these generations are bringing their own style of humor, insight, and creativity. At Engage Youth Co. our job is to keep you posted with the latest trends and we hope we did just that. TikTok is the gateway to Gen Z’s mind. If you want a peek inside their humor, just open the app!

Sources:

https://invideo.io/blog/tiktok-trends/

Written by: Naia Mader EYC Intern

Edited by: Lisa Knight

Source: The Bark Blog