WHY INSTAGRAM AND TIKTOK TRENDS STILL RUN OUR DIGITAL LIVES

By Enock Kibet 

Scroll through Instagram or TikTok for just five minutes and you’ll understand one thing: trends are no longer just online entertainment they are culture. They shape how we dress, how we speak, what we eat, and even how we think. In 2026, social media trends are not just passing waves; they are the heartbeat of a generation constantly searching for connection, relevance and identity.

Take filters, for example. What started as simple photo enhancements has evolved into full-blown digital personas. From hyper-realistic cinematic filters to nostalgic early-2010s grain effects, users are carefully curating moods rather than just posting pictures. The current obsession with “soft life” aesthetics warm tones, calm music, slow mornings reflects something deeper. It’s not just about beauty; it’s about escape. In a world filled with economic pressure, political tension and personal uncertainty, curated calm feels comforting.

Then there are challenges. Dance routines, storytelling prompts, “day in my life” clips these trends spread like wildfire because they offer participation. They invite people into a shared experience. When one video goes viral, thousands follow, each adding a personal twist. This is digital democracy at work. You don’t need a television studio or a media house to influence culture anymore; a smartphone and creativity are enough.

But trends are not always harmless fun. The speed at which they rise and fall creates pressure. Creators feel the need to constantly adapt or risk becoming irrelevant. Ordinary users feel subtle anxiety if you’re not on the latest sound, using the newest filter, or posting in the current format, are you even part of the conversation? The algorithm rewards immediacy, not patience.How viral the video,clip or photo is, often matters more than depth.

Yet despite the criticism, we keep scrolling. Why? Because trends make the internet feel alive. They create inside jokes between strangers across continents. A viral sound in Nairobi can be recreated in Lagos, London or Los Angeles within hours. It’s global conversation in real time.

In my view, what makes Instagram and TikTok trends powerful is not the content itself but the sense of belonging they provide. Every trending reel or TikTok is a reminder that millions of people are laughing at the same joke, dancing to the same song, or debating the same topic at the same moment. In an increasingly fragmented world, that shared rhythm matters.

The real question is not whether trends will slow down they won’t. The question is whether we can learn to engage with them consciously rather than compulsively. Can we enjoy the creativity without losing our authenticity? Can we participate without feeling pressured?

Because at the end of the day, trends don’t control culture we do. And maybe the next big trend will be something unexpected: slowing down, thinking deeper, and using these platforms not just to go viral, but to truly connect.