A new cultural change is coming towards the 21st-century youth. The rise of youth individualism has dramatically increased, with changes including the way they dress, talk, and identify themselves. This is what separates the youth from the older generation. 

Influence of the digital world 

The rise of social media has allowed access to a wide range of media where youth could discover new ideas and communities, or they could spread their own idea through creation, art, beliefs, or small businesses. While the internet creates opportunities for ideas, it also pressures people to compare themselves to others by trying to be too different. At some point it’s not you, it’s your online identity that the youth tries to become due to unrealistic expectations they have set for themselves, or by others they see on social media.

The 3 groups of internet individualism diseases that youth can contract 

First, we have the “niche merchant.” These are people who are always on social media non stop and looking for weird and “niche” or “esoteric” and ironic jokes like “brainrot.” They want humor that makes them feel special or different. They usually end up referencing online jokes or ideas too much and their identity becomes tied to “I need to be different from everyone” which is an unhealthy way of thinking, as you’re trying too hard to be something that you don’t particularly enjoy.

Secondly, we have the “pseudo intellectual demon.” They would usually try to sound smart, but don’t actually study or research what they’ve said. A common symptom of this is people calling others a larp (live action roleplay), calling people grey (a robot), or new gen (someone who wasn’t there before something changed). These are slanders people use to make others think they’re dumber than they are. This is usually present in the youth music community, fashion, or even in a self-improvement community called “lookmaxing.” These communities create this word to feel more unique or “individualistic” than everyone else, even if it puts people down. This is unhealthy because they are trying to be something special, no matter if it stems from putting down others. 

Lastly, we have the “group identity genie.” These types of internet individuals would chase popular or viral trends to feel included. They sometimes even gaslight themselves into thinking they are unique, even though what they are doing is what other people are doing. They build their whole personality around a fandom or niche interest they have just found. Sometimes, these individuals would exaggerate traits they have or even self-diagnose a mental condition to feel special or unique. These stem from gaslighting themselves into liking something that doesn’t reflect their true personal taste. Unhealthy individualism can mix with social pressure, performative identity, and obsession with appearing different to create these ideas. 

The takeaway of these three is that extreme individualism can be a double-edged sword. Exploring is normal, but when it becomes a circus show or a performance influenced by a trend, it can distort and limit real self-expression. 

What does it mean to be unique?

Being unique is to forget everything I try to influence. If you are being influenced by this article, it shows how subconsciously you’re trying to form an opinion that’s not yours, but an opinion your brain just keeps rehearsing. To be unique is to be who you want to be, without letting some useless article or anything else decide how you should think or act. So think for yourself. Believe in the version of you that you choose to believe in.