Social media trends are constantly coming and going. They can range from fun makeup hacks to holding public figures accountable. It seems like the internet has something new to obsess over every other week. Through all the scandals and charting songs, it’s important to recognize that some of these trends can be healing and informative to some audiences.
One of the most relevant and fascinating trends going viral today is the “almond mom” phenomenon on TikTok. It originally spurred from clips of former model and reality star Yolanda Hadid giving her daughters controversial and potentially dangerous diet tips.
When the scenes originally aired on TV in the 2010s, her weight-loss advice didn’t seem too shocking. The modeling industry and A-list celebrity world were both still stuck in conventional ideas of beauty, and mainstream media had yet to call out this kind of behavior.
Luckily, a lot has changed in the last decade. Diversity and inclusion are celebrated and encouraged in today’s media outlets. So, these resurfaced clips sparked viral outrage from users from all corners of TikTok. Creators began calling out dangerous dietary tips and reflected on their own experiences growing up in the age of glamorized thinness.
Thus, the “almond mom” was born. This new social media term isn’t exclusive to just women or mothers, it encompasses an entire generation of people who subscribe to toxic ideas of beauty and nutrition. Thousands of videos poking fun at or calling out other celebrities or people from their personal lives have been trending for weeks.
While it can be dangerous to give this sort of content any kind of attention, there is a brighter side that we should talk about! Some of the most popular public responses to the “almond mom” include healthy and body-positive advice, which has helped hundreds of users heal from their past experiences. Under most of these videos, you’ll find comments from users that are encouraging each other to love themselves the way they are!
Even with such damaging and controversial content going viral, social media creators have found a way to shed light on misinformation and support each other. Users have built a happy, healthy community despite the dangers of “almond moms.” This is, arguably, one of the most amazing parts of social media.
Even if certain trends don’t align with your values or prove to be triggering, just remember that there are inclusive communities forming every day. It’s not impossible to find supportive, encouraging people on all your favorite apps. Don’t lose hope and surround yourself with the people and content that’s best for you!