When you scroll on TikTok or Instagram reels for only a couple of minutes, you’ll notice a pattern of the same sounds, ideas, and clothes. It feels like everyone is trying to be the same person. If one outfit, drink, or sound goes viral, then suddenly everyone’s doing it. It makes me wonder: is anyone trying to be different anymore?
Social media has turned our community into the same people. Being on social media isn’t the problem, it’s how people use it. Our community uses it almost like a template on how we should be. Nothing makes me more happy than seeing someone at school being themselves, wearing the clothes they want to wear, and showcasing their own personality. I think we should all be more original like these people.
When I was in eighth grade, I did nothing but follow everything on social media. I got all the trendy items: venti Strawberry Acai Refreshers every morning, Lululemon leggings, and Uggs. This is what I thought I had to do to fit in at Parker. It didn’t help me at all. Social media tries to make us be like everyone else, but it doesn’t get you anywhere. In the end, it’s not what you wear that matters, it’s your personality. Looking back, I realize how much time I wasted trying to act like somebody I wasn’t. I was so focused on fitting in, I forgot to be myself. Now, I see people at Parker doing the same thing I did just to feel included. It’s almost like we are scared to stand out and social media is promoting this idea.
At Parker, I see everything that is trending on social media. The same trends I saw online make their way to real life. This has been happening forever. Ever since we all got phones and social media, we started to dress in clothes we saw online. This has continued up to now. When you walk through the halls of Parker you see the same shoes, water bottles, and clothes which can all be seen on social media. Our community is following what they see online, and it makes our school feel less unique and more like one big trend instead.
I think people in our community do this because they’re scared of standing out. I have been at Parker since JK, and when we were younger, we were very judgmental. I think it’s changed in Upper School. Handfuls of people who dress like themselves don’t get judged. We just assume they do. This pressures us into following the trends, even if we don’t want to. I could ask my friends if I should buy a specific item, and if it’s not necessarily popular, I immediately get told no or that it’s ugly. This causes me to fear bringing this item to school, thinking I will get judged if I do. Unfortunately, I never end up getting it, even if I like the item.
Copying trends is stripping us of our individuality. The more we all try to be the same, the more we start to lose what makes us interesting. We are losing who we truly are because of social media. Now, we can’t tell who someone truly is because everyone is doing the exact same thing. We see everyone picturing themselves having the same interests, favorite things, and personalities. This causes students to hide who they truly are, which we shouldn’t feel like we have to do at Parker. Our community is supposed to be a place where we can truly be ourselves, but social media is destroying that sense of comfort by promoting the idea we have to be like everyone else.
If we stopped trying to copy what we see online, Parker would be more unique and safe. I encourage everyone to post what they want, dress how they want, and forget the fear of having others fear you. Ignore everything you see on social media, and if you see something you like, get it. Being original is more interesting than fitting in with everyone else. If everyone in our community did this, Parker would be the comforting model home that we always should’ve been.
