TikTok is one of the most popular social media apps among teens and young adults. TikTok trends are constantly changing.
Popular trends on TikTok for teens and young adults
1. Under-eye bags
Many TikTok users are drawing dark circles under their eyes to embrace their insecurities. The trend was started by Sara-Marie Carstens with this video. The video received over 1.2 million likes.
In a follow-up video, Sara said that she was not trying to make fun of eye bags, but she also has the same insecurity and drew them on after hiding them with concealer. She also mentioned that she wants people to embrace their natural beauty, rather than hiding their insecurities.
2. Drivers license
The song, “Drivers License,” by Olivia Rodrigo, has absolutely taken over TikTok. This song is very relatable to teenagers dealing with heartbreak, with the lyrics: “You said forever, now I drive alone past your street.”
This song has been used for over one million TikTok videos. Teens are using this song to to be creative and make dramatic videos of themselves. Here are some of the top examples:
- a person lays down in the rain while a car drives by,
- a young man dances while crossing the street,
- users lip-syncing the song and then getting dressed up halfway through the song.
The song truly resonated with young people which is likely why it has already become one of the top songs of 2021.
3. Domino
This trend is an adorable dance to the song “Domino,” by Jessie J. This dance is done with two people (usually in a relationship, but can also be done with friends.) This music has been used over 80 thousand times with many users recreating this iconic duo dance.
4. Teens putting their social media information in items in stores
TikTok teenagers are going to great lengths to find a boyfriend. In a now-viral video, captioned “How to get a boyfriend 101” teens are putting their Snapchat user names into different items in stores, such as baseball mitts and pants pockets. Teens are recreating this video, but should be warned that it’s important to be very careful when doing this as you never know who might end up with your information.
5. I guess I’m just too tough to cry
This TikTok trend has users lip-syncing the sound, “I guess I’m just too tough to cry,” and then showing a sad video or something sad that happens. But, many of the videos in this trend are also silly or heartwarming.
6. Hello you are looking so fine
This TikTok trend has users lip-syncing part of the song “Meet Me in the Pale Moonlight,” by Lana Del Ray. There is typically text written above, such as when someone does something nice. For example, one video shows a girl sing the song with the text, “when he is nice to his mom.” Another video has the text, “when he sends a full face snap of him smiling.”
7. Running and crying
This trend has teens running in slow motion and making realizations, with the song, “Halo,” by Beyonce in the background.
One video shows a girl running in her practice gear with the text “when coach says if ur not gonna take practice seriously u can leave.”
Another video has the text, “when they stop asking you whats wrong after the 3rd time but you were gonna tell them the 4th time.” And, another video has the text “when you’ve been dating over a year and still don’t know what to call his mom.”
8. Four-course meal challenge
This TikTok trend is so fun! In this challenge, friends will play rock paper scissors and whoever wins chooses the drinks for the meal and the group will drive to wherever that person wants to get the drinks (usually Starbucks, smoothies, or bubble tea).
Then, they repeat this process for appetizers, entrees, and finally, dessert. This is a great game to play when there’s not much to do and there is time to go to different places for food.
9. Taking a picture with your younger self
This adorable trend has users using the Green Screen Scan effect to take pictures with their younger self. This is such a cute video idea, and it is so fun seeing what people look like compared to what they looked like as a child. Here is another example of one captioned “She (younger self) looks so happy I just wanna give her a hug.”
10. Vision board
Many teens and young adults have been creating vision boards to start the year on the right foot. Many people are sharing their vision boards on TikTok to showcase their goals for 2021.
11. Alphabet challenge
This trend is tons of fun! Teens are taking pictures of themselves in front of signs, restaurants, or stores starting with each letter of the alphabet from A-Z.
12. Not a perfect person
This sound is the song “The Reason” by Hoobastank and has users exposing mistakes they have made while the song goes, “I’m not a perfect person.” One teen’s video has the quote, “When you ate all your sister’s snacks.” Another user’s video states, “everytime I get the aux and my sister tells me not to play my middle aged dad music.”
13. Me vs. pictures my mom posts on Facebook
This hilarious trend has teens showing pictures of themselves and then showing pictures of them that their parents posted on Facebook. Many teens have been doing this trend to show how different they look on their parents’ social media versus their social media.
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