Many have been calling 2026 the new 2016, remembering 2016 as a simpler time, with people bringing back old trends and reminiscing on the past. However, 2016 and 2026 couldn’t be less similar. The innovation over the decade has been driven mainly by technology, global events, and the way our generation consumes media. Causing our world to change completely, even though it may not feel that way.
The role of social media has changed significantly over the past decade. Social media has become a major factor in the cultural shift across the globe. Movements like Black Lives Matter and #MeToo gained widespread attention due to the role of digital platforms. Allowing people from all around the world to speak out on what they believe and what they face has allowed mainstream attention towards issues that were once ignored by traditional media outlets. Consequently, teens and young adults are more active in politics than previous generations, using their phones to become advocates for social justice.
While 2016 saw trends that stayed within the circles of young people, the reach of these platforms has gone global. According to the Pew Research Center, the vast majority of U.S. adults (84%) say they have used YouTube, while 71% report using Facebook. Many Americans spend hours on their phones scrolling through TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, ingesting thousands of videos’ worth of information. We live in a technological age where millions of jobs are created through social media. Its importance to modern society only continues to grow, becoming a defining factor in the lives of young people.
In 2016, artificial intelligence was a concept found only in sci-fi movies and television shows. Today, AI is one of the fastest-growing markets, and current society relies heavily on its role. Tools and tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, CLaude, and countless others allow anyone to create fully fledged projects in seconds.
When we look back on the past, it’s obvious how important the role of technology has become. While some consider 2026 the new 2016, it’s important to remember the change that took place between the decades. As technology and society continue to evolve, it will keep changing society, the world around us and how we view ourselves in the future.
