1. Kik
We all used this app at some point in our lives. Kik was a messaging app that many of us used in order to communicate with our friends with iPods who didn’t have a phone number. I’m not sure what about this app was so appealing, but a lot of big moments happened through conversations on it. Kik is where I built relationships with some of my closest middle school friends, talked to my first real crush, and even found out that he liked me back. These moments are forever locked away in my abandoned, unvisited account.
2. Vine
Oh Vine. We miss you. This was another phone app that allowed a person to create a six-second video and share it publicly. Vine trained a fleet of viral geniuses in the art of quick internet comedy. It paved the way for other apps like Music.ly and Tiktok, which took over after Vine’s deactivation. RIP to you, Vine. Your legacy will always be remembered (and forever on youtube).
3. Mustache accessories
This is a weird one. There were mustaches on EVERYTHING, from straws to notebooks to clothing, and even straight-up fake stick-on mustaches. It was an epidemic. I honestly could not tell you why this became popular, but I’d be lying if I told you that I didn’t have a mustache themed birthday party…
4. The Word “Lit”
Just about the most obnoxious word to exist ever. I hated it so much when it first jumped into pop culture and music. It was just cringe inducing. However, I have to admit that I did use it ironically on purpose to annoy people after its popularity declined. Let’s just keep that in the 2010s, okay?
5. Pointless (and sometimes dangerous) Internet Challenges
With the increase in the rise of social media, we also saw a drastic increase in the amount of extremely stupid (and dangerous) internet challenges. The cinnamon challenge could choke you to death. The tide pod challenge could poison you. The bird box challenge could result in major injury or damage to property. The condom challenge could cause suffocation or, if it broke, strangling. The Harlem shake, Mannequin challenge, and planking were just unfortunate. Can we just stop? Unless they are actually safe and interesting, I don’t want to see it.
6. Bottle flipping
It was fun for a little bit. Even I took part in the fun when my water bottle had just the right amount of water left in it. However, it’s pretty much played out. I’m sure we’ll find an equivalent replacement in the 2020s.
7. Baby Shark
GOD ALMIGHTY CAN WE STOP PLAYING THIS SONG. I can’t go ANYWHERE without hearing it. Sporting events, weddings, dances, grocery stores. IT HAUNTS ME IN MY NIGHTMARES. PLEASE CAN WE LEAVE THIS ONE BEHIND FOREVER?
8. Silly Bandz
This trend popped up when I was in middle school. Silly Bandz were colorful rubber bands that were formed into all different shapes. These were so big at one point that people were covering the entirety of their arms in them. Unfortunately, this resulted in some people losing circulation in their arms. yikes.
9. Clown Invasions of 2016
There is still no explanation. All I know is that scary frickin clowns showed up randomly and wandered around in the dark with weapons to freak people out. They would even go as far as to chase people in their cars. In my opinion, if you’re driving a car and a clown is chasing you, run that b**** over. Show them you aren’t scared. I’m so happy this one was so short-lived.
10. “Justin Bieber” hair
As Justin Bieber rose to popularity, so did his iconic long, sweeping bangs. If you were a young boy during the mid-2010s, most likely you’ve tried to pull off this hairstyle at least once. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it’s out of style. Maybe it will come back, hopefully with a different name.
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