A TikToker, @thecringeymillenial, vented her frustrations about speaking to fellow millennials who are not familiar with social media culture. In a workplace conversation, she referenced a popular meme and found her co-worker confused. Many millennials relate to this struggle, feeling like they speak a different language when discussing internet culture with their peers. This divide within the millennial generation highlights the importance of staying current with trends to maintain social connections. Trends expert Daniel Levine explained that social media is a key conduit for meme culture and flash fads, making it challenging for people to keep up with the rapidly changing world.
Levine also emphasized that keeping up with trends is not just about fitting in but also about maintaining social connections. He noted that the fast-paced nature of today’s world can make it exhausting for many people to stay on top of trends. The TikTok post by @thecringeymillenial highlights the divide between TikTok millennials and Facebook millennials, showing that even within the same generation, there can be significant differences in cultural understanding. The use of “cringey millennial” in the TikToker’s username may suggest that she is being cheeky and does not take herself too seriously, adding a layer of self-awareness to her frustrations.
The cultural rift within the millennial generation can be compared to tribes linked by a common culture and dialect. When one peer does not share the same lingo or social understanding, it can create a feeling of being disconnected from the group. Many millennials who immerse themselves in internet culture, memes, and social media trends may feel like outsiders when interacting with peers who are not familiar with these aspects of modern culture. This highlights the importance of shared cultural knowledge in forging strong social connections and feeling like part of a cohesive group.
The pressure to stay current with trends is not only about keeping up with the latest memes and social media trends but also about maintaining social connections with peers. Being “chronically online” can create a sense of insider-ish knowledge and belonging, but it can also lead to feelings of smugness for being in the know. The divide between TikTok millennials and Facebook millennials exemplifies how different levels of engagement with internet culture can create significant differences in cultural understanding within the same generation. As technology and social media continue to shape communication and cultural norms, staying current with trends will remain essential for fostering connections and understanding among peers.
