Lost In the Trends: A Decline in Kindness and Authenticity

In many ways, we have become so accustomed to our tablets and devices, making social media posts and following trends, that we have forgotten what it means to experience life beyond the screens. We are enmeshed in this emerging expectation to have a certain amount of likes, views, and comments that affirm our social acceptance, that we have forgotten how to determine one’s worth through heart to heart conversations, exploration, and mindfulness in the present moment.

Around twenty years ago when I was a youngster, I can remember building mud pies, playing outside on the swing set, listening to music with my parents in the car while I watched the starry night sky above our Honda, and overall experiencing the highs and lows of growing up. In 2026, I see an existential threat to the essential experiences beyond the screen that has spiraled newer generations into becoming lost in the online world and detaching more and more from the real world. Parents on social media put artsy signs next to their infants, sharing personal photos rather than keeping them in a family picture book. There is a certain failure in the parents of this newer generation, whom give their kids tablets rather than engaging with them and being present in the home.

On a sociological standpoint, whatever is trendy online becomes a societal norm. Unfortunately, societal norms are not always helpful nor healthy, but become a way of lifestyle and expectation that shapes any given populous. Social media has many “therapists” and influencers who teach their audiences lessons of life from their viewpoint, that has fueled a movement of superficial living. The deep conversations while star gazing are less prevalent, in which individuals of all ages are now glued to their binge-worthy tv show, gaming, or simply scrolling endlessly online. There is a lack of kindness and authenticity in our every day living, young adults like myself often experiencing loneliness and a lack of social cohesiveness in the world at large.

In many ways, we are at a fork in the road. I, personally, have retreated from social media in recent years and have found a sense of inner peace and a return of centeredness to living life beyond the screen. Perhaps one of the most important initiatives for anyone glued to the screen, is to learn how to detach from the constant messages and programming online that teaches individuals to be judgmental, superficial, and unkind through the introduction of memes, exploitation, and normalization of bullying. When we leave behind the toxicity of social media, we begin to think for ourselves. That might just be the step towards building a world rooted in kindness, mindfulness, curiosity, and creativity once more.