January Social Trends You Couldn’t Scroll Past

Welcome back to The Social Trend Drop, your go to cheat sheet for what’s been taking over feeds each month.

We still can’t quite believe we’re officially in 2026. Time has sprinted, not jogged. January kicked things off with a heavy dose of nostalgia, playful persuasion, and a few trends that feel delightfully chaotic. The kind that make you stop mid scroll and send it straight to the group chat.

Here’s what actually landed.

‍

2026 Is the New 2016

What it is
2016 is having a full circle moment. Creators are resurfacing old selfies, party pics, and recreating the unmistakable aesthetic of the era. Oversaturated photos. Heavy filters. Snapchat dog ears. Throwback poses, makeup, music, and all the charm that came with it. Some creators are even shooting brand new content designed to look like it was posted a decade ago.

‍

You Have to Believe Me

What it is
Using Holly’s iconic line from the final season of Stranger Things “Come on, you have to believe me, please you have to.” Creators lip sync the audio while adding on screen text about something they desperately want others to believe. Convincing friends to start a show. Defending an unpopular opinion. Begging people to trust a recommendation.

‍

The Three Different Kinds of Friends

What it is
A cheeky format showing how three different friends react to the same situation, usually confrontation. Set to I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts. One friend goes in hot. One apologises on their behalf. The third matches the chaos beat for beat.

‍

I Asked the Universe for a Sign

What it is
Creators start with text saying “I asked the universe for a sign,” followed by an AI generated cloud shaped like whatever they’re manifesting. A dream car. A holiday. A life goal. The more specific, the better.

I Used to Love This Hair

What it is
Set to Olivia Dean’s Lady Lady, specifically the line “I used to love this hair, now there’s something in the air.” Creators show a hair transformation, cutting from their old look to a new style, often paired with a visible confidence shift.

‍

January proved that trends don’t need to be complicated to work. Nostalgia, humour, and emotion are still doing the heavy lifting. If it makes people feel something, laugh, or reminisce, it’s already halfway there.

See you next month for another scroll worthy round up.

‍