As I scroll through Tik Tok, swipe through Instagram, and create my Pinterest board, my mind goes blank as I ooh and ahh over pretty pictures, funny videos, and inspiring quotes. Yet when I look back at my liked posts, I realize there’s a common theme. Most of what pops up on my specifically catered phone screen is not highly edited material but raw, unfiltered, and imperfect. Even when I see what other people my age are posting, I realize there’s a trend: Gen Z loves to be real.
I might as well start by stating the obvious, but the creation of the popular app BeReal, at least in my opinion, was a groundbreaking addition to the social media landscape. Quite literally designed to catch you in your most natural state — instead of in perfect lighting with precise eyeliner and a stunning view — BeReal has shown me how fake other forms of social media are. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good Instagram photoshoot as much as the next girl, but there’s something so liberating about not worrying about posting with my bedhead, ice cream on my chin, or re-watching the same movie for a millionth time; everyone else is doing it. (Sorry, but if you wait to post your BeReal I notice and take personal offense). And so just like that — with the release of one app — I feel like Gen Z realized it’s okay, and honestly fun, to not take on a shining alter ego in order to debut yourself on the internet. I like knowing everyone isn’t actually partying every night because now I don’t compare myself to this perfect internet version of my peers.
Similar to the rise of BeReal, Instagram has also become a more casual form of social media. At least for college and high school-aged users, the popularized “photo dumps” are a new take on the Instagram post. Gone are the days of perfect backgrounds and hopelessly editing our bodies because now Gen Z Instagrammers seek blurry pictures, random posts, and unhinged captions. Although I’m struggling to catch on to this trend (simply because I forget to take pictures unless I’m at a special event), the new aesthetic of photo dumps is inspiring many users to post what they want and with less pressure to have a perfect feed.
Although not as in-your-face-unfiltered as photo dumps and BeReal, I will also argue that the album cover trend exploding over TikTok also represents a similar level of realness. In these videos, mostly random and goofy, people prove that anything can be an album cover. Not to get too philosophical with you, but I believe this shows how living in the moment is more beautiful and makes us happier, than being concerned about our looks all the time.
Gen Z is also becoming unfiltered outside of social media. Now celebrities are doing natural makeup, promoting skin care, and removing implants. Now my go-to makeup look of blush, lip gloss, and some mascara is the new norm. Bonus points because often my bedhead looks similar to the desired beach waves. I love being in a generation where natural beauty is embraced.
Even though we still have a long way to go before social media becomes truly unfiltered, genuine, and judgment-free, Gen Z is progressing towards a more honest future.