The generational divide is often most evident in the trends and behaviors that each age group adopts. While younger generations embrace new and evolving practices, older adults often find these trends baffling or outright disagreeable. Here’s a look at 24 popular trends that younger generations love but older adults want nothing to do with.
1. TikTok Over Google
![Tiktok](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-435-1024x682.png)
Younger people increasingly turn to TikTok for information instead of traditional search engines like Google, preferring short videos over reading.1
Read More: Generations Divided: What Emojis Mean to Different Age Groups
2. Skincare Routines for Kids
![skincare](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-436-1024x650.png)
Elementary school-aged children are now adopting full skincare routines as a popular trend, which many older adults find unnecessary and excessive.
3. Judging by Phone Brands
![phone](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-437-1024x682.png)
Decisions about dating or friendships based on the brand of phone someone uses is a popular trend that older adults find superficial.
4. GoFundMe for Cosmetic Procedures
![Stuttgart, Germany - 01-12-2023: Mobile phone with logo of crowdfunding platform company GoFundMe on screen in front of business website. Focus on center-left of phone display. Unmodified photo.](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2251915037.jpg)
The popular trend of creating crowdfunding campaigns for cosmetic surgeries is a trend that many older adults view as indulgent and inappropriate.
5. Avoiding Driving
![Front view portrait of an scared driver driving a car before an accident](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1463725196.jpg)
Many young adults are reluctant to learn how to drive, preferring public transportation or ride-sharing services, which older generations see as a loss of an essential skill.
6. Watching Unboxing Videos
![child unboxing](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-438-1024x682.png)
The fascination with watching YouTube videos of people opening and playing with new toys instead of using their own puzzles older adults.2
7. Extreme Eyelashes and Nails
![female hand extra long nails with jewels](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2419806707-1024x1024.jpg)
The popular trend of wearing long, fluffy eyelashes and extremely long nails baffles older adults, who wonder how practical these beauty choices are.
8. Thin ’90s Brows
![Colorful beautiful eyes in anime (manga) style with shiny light reflections. Bright vector illustration isolated. Emotions: expression of sadness. Pastel goth colors. Japanese kawaii cartoon.](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1160349649-1024x614.jpg)
The return of thin eyebrows from the ’90s is a popular trend that older adults hoped would stay in the past.
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9. Snapchat Over Phone Numbers
![snapchat](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-439-1024x682.png)
In modern dating, it’s common for young people to exchange Snapchat handles instead of phone numbers, a popular trend that feels alien to older generations.
10. Phones as Primary Computers
![cell phone as laptop](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-440-1024x682.png)
For many young people, smartphones have replaced laptops as their primary computing device, a shift that older adults struggle to comprehend.
11. Poor Punctuation
![Newspaper uppercase cutouts isolated on white. Mix and match to make your own words](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_4282294.jpg)
Younger people often neglect proper punctuation in their writing, making communication difficult for older adults.
12. Fearfulness
![fear](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-441-1024x680.png)
Less a popular trend and more a concern, there is a perception that younger people are more fearful and anxious, fixating on worst-case scenarios more than older generations.
13. Binge-Watching Short Videos
![Newspaper uppercase cutouts isolated on white. Mix and match to make your own words](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1563711478.jpg)
Young people often binge-watch short, plotless videos on platforms like TikTok, which older adults find devoid of substance.
14. Self-Labeling
![Woman wear blank ID badge mockup, stand isolated. Name tag on neck and chest. Person identity label. Women in shirt uniform with empty id card mock up. Bussinesswoman lanyard design.](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1798784671.jpg)
Younger generations frequently label themselves with various identities and descriptors, a habit that older adults often see as overly complicated.
15. Sharing Location
![GPS navigator. The concept shares its geolocation with others. Search by geolocation. Tracking the location of a person using a phone. Maps navigation with point markers. Friends locations](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1849393657-1024x683.jpg)
Many young people share their real-time location with friends on Snapchat, a popular trend that older adults find invasive and unnecessary.
16. Specific Water Tumblers
![Tumblers with cover, travel thermo mugs, reusable cups for hot drinks. Different designs of thermos for take away coffee. Set of isolated vector illustrations in flat style on white background](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2415866873-1024x614.jpg)
The obsession with having the “right” brand of water tumbler is seen as an extension of materialistic peer pressure by older generations.
17. Nicotine Addiction
![Set of multicolor disposable electronic cigarettes on a red background. The concept of modern smoking, vaping and nicotine.](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2319639609.jpg)
Despite knowing the risks, the resurgence of nicotine use, especially through vaping, is seen as a step backward by older generations.
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18. Making Fun of Sock Choices
![socks](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-442-1024x731.png)
The popular trend of mocking others for wearing “no show” or “ankle” socks is another modern behavior that leaves older adults perplexed.
19. Literacy Rates
![reading a book](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-443-1024x682.png)
Despite being the most connected generation, literacy rates are falling, a phenomenon that older adults find deeply concerning.
20. Speakerphone Calls
![Speakerphone conversation. Close-up of excited positive indian or arabian man, sitting on a sofa in living room, holding his smartphone, talking on speakerphone and smiling, record voice message](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2193155777.jpg)
Younger people frequently make phone calls on speakerphone, even in public, which older adults find rude and unnecessary.
21. Preventative Botox
![Plastic surgery. Young african woman receiving botox injection in interbrow zone at beauty clinic, closeup, copy space](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1753026176.jpg)
The popular trend of young adults seeking preventative Botox treatments in their early twenties is seen as unnecessary by older generations.
22. Vaping
![vaping](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/image-444-1024x682.png)
Despite the known health risks, the popularity of vaping among young people is a popular trend that older adults strongly oppose.
23. Social Media Crimes
![Pretty Indian girl or young Asian woman eating strawberry ice cream in cone against yellow studio background](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1927024460.jpg)
Committing crimes for social media clout, such as the ice cream-licking challenge, is a disturbing but popular trend that older adults cannot understand.
24. Caps Lock Capitalization
![The Caps lock key on a backlit keyboard - The illuminated dot on the key indicates that the capslock is turned on and making it all capital letters as you type](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_1359945947.jpg)
Some younger individuals use the caps lock key instead of the shift key to capitalize letters, a habit that older adults find inefficient.
Conclusion
![TRENDS 2024, Trends of SEO 2024, trends in 2024 with loading bar.](https://secretlifeofmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/shutterstock_2354957407.jpg)
The divide between generations is highlighted by the differing popular trends and behaviors each embraces. While younger generations continue to innovate and push boundaries, older adults often look on with confusion or disapproval. Understanding these differences is key to bridging the generational gap and fostering mutual respect.
H/t Buzzfeed, Huffpost
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