The Influence of Memes on Teen Humor & Culture

by Ayanah Dowdye, Contributing Author

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Introduction

Social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram have significantly shaped teen humor and culture, especially through the widespread use of memes. A meme is an image or video that is accompanied by text which frequently conveys humor, satire, or irony, that is then rapidly spread by internet users, often with slight variations. Memes can reference anything from pop culture to everyday situations. Their viral nature allows them to reflect and influence popular trends, opinions, and online culture. This provides a constant stream of relatable, humorous content that teens can quickly adopt and integrate into their daily lives. They can serve as a form of shared language, influencing how teens express themselves, relate to one another, and navigate social interactions. This constant exposure to viral trends and jokes can influence the way teens communicate with friends, perceive events, and even build their online personas. As memes become a key element of youth culture, they reflect and shape social dynamics, values, and even inside jokes that reinforce relationships and create a sense of belonging.

Relevant Videos

1. What is a meme: click here

2. Memes explained w/ examples: click here

3. Memes explained by a teen: click here

4. Person behind a popular meme: click here

5. Person behind a popular meme: click here

How to Talk to Kids About It

1. Show Curiosity and Ask Questions: Parents can ask their teens to explain memes they encounter, showing genuine interest in understanding what their kids find funny or relatable. This opens communication without judgment.

2. Share Memes Together: Sharing or reacting to appropriate memes together can create a fun, light-hearted way to bond and build common ground.

3. Use Memes as a Learning Tool: Parents can introduce educational memes or humorous content related to topics like history or science, blending entertainment with learning to make certain topics more engaging for their teens.

Pros & Cons

Pros

1. Memes encourage creativity, as teens often create their own versions or spin-offs, fostering digital literacy and artistic expression.

2. Sharing memes can strengthen social bonds by providing a common ground for humor and conversation.

3. Memes can convey ideas, opinions, and trends rapidly, making them an effective tool for spreading awareness on social issues or popular culture in an engaging way.

Cons

1. Memes often reduce complex topics to quick jokes or oversimplified messages, which can lead to a shallow understanding of important matters.

2. Meme culture can sometimes encourage negative behaviors, such as teasing, cyberbullying, or the spread of harmful stereotypes.

3. The fast-paced nature of memes can create a sense of anxiety in teens to keep up with the latest trends, leading to social pressure and a fear of missing out (FOMO).

Other Relevant Stuff

1. PubMed: Analysis of the use of memes as an exponent of collective coping during COVID-19 in Puerto Rico - PMC

2. Nature: Mental health memes: beneficial or aversive in relation to psychiatric symptoms? | Humanities and Social Sciences Communications 

3. New York Times: What Is a Meme? The Meaning and History - The New York Times 

4. Daze Article: Raygun: how a 36-year-old academic and breakdancer won the meme Olympics | Daze

5. BBC Article: The surprising power of internet memes 

6. The good and bad of memes: The power of internet memes to shape who we all are | Shontavia Johnson | TEDxAtlanta

7. Most popular meme person: He Accidentally Became A Meme?

8. Most popular meme person explains: Waking up as a meme-hero | Andras Arato | TEDxKyiv

9. Meme examples: 30 Funny Memes That May Make You Relive Your Teenage Phase | Bored Panda