Students’ latest trend to “be real” online brings back an old device
Being “perfect” online is going out of style for students. Instead of posting carefully picked, high-quality photos, students are starting to post blurry, authentic photos taken on a device millennials know all too well: The digital camera. With the rise of social media apps such as BeReal, and older technology coming back into play for a new generation, students are highlighting how great it is to play to your core and be your true, authentic self online.
Digital cameras are back in style
Last year, 18-year-old high school student Anthony Taberez captured his senior prom on his mom’s old digital camera, rather than a smartphone. Months later, digital cameras started popping up everywhere. From students photographing class events to taking everyday photos with their friends, digital cameras have made a comeback and are now one of the hottest devices for teenagers and young adults.
Even celebrities such as Kylie Jenner and other popular social media influencers are posting photos taken with a digital camera. The authentic, blurry photos taken on these cameras, most popular during the late 90s and early 2000s, are now staple gadgets for Gen Z tech users. With #DigitalCamera trending on several social platforms, these devices are now in widespread use, with many educators wondering why they’ve come back in style.
The answer? People want to see celebrities and influencers “be real” online, and using digital cameras is a fun way to do so. Students also find that using digital cameras gives them a chance to take a break from their devices. According to the Pew Research Center, 36% of US teens said they spent too much time on social media. So, not only are students moving towards being their authentic selves online, they’re open to taking a step back from their phones.
TSI’s Take: Encourage students to Play To Their Core online
In the past few months, we have seen a resurgence of the 2000s fashion trends, and digital cameras are the latest addition to this movement. It’s encouraging to see students play to their core by using digital cameras to promote authenticity online. We love that both educators and students are pushing toward positive social media use, and we hope trends like this continue in the future.
Posting authentic and unedited content on social media is just one of many ways students can play to their core. Encourage your students to evaluate their social media accounts and ask them if they feel that their pages positively reflect who they are.
You can also remind students to post and repost people, places, or things that align with their interests and values. Some examples of topics students may be interested in are sports, art, cooking, and music. When students post about topics that interest them, they curate a feed and form a community with those that have similar interests to them.
Discover more ways you can empower students to be their true, authentic selves online with the #WinAtSocial Play to Your Core Lesson: Redefining how we portray ourselves authentically on social media by requesting a demo of #WinAtSocial today!
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The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in understanding student experiences and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, online learning platform that equips students, educators, and families to navigate social experiences — online and offline — in healthy ways. Our unique, student-respected approach incorporates topics like social media, technology use, and current events that have a significant impact on student well-being. Lessons teach life skills for the modern day to inspire high-character decisions that support the health, happiness, and future success of students, while capturing data that provides insights to school leaders to inform school policy and communications, and enable high-impact teaching and a healthy learning environment. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities. For schools, our turnkey technology allows for easy implementation and a comprehensive game plan to support the well-being of school communities.