It’s 2016. Everybody is using the dog filter, and One Dance by Drake is blasting in the background. The first Stranger Things season has just been released, forever changing Netflix. But under the Fetty Wap and fidget spinners, many Americans were worried for the future, as Trump has just been elected for the first time. Now, in 2026, people are longing for that innocent time.
The recent social media trend, “2026 is the new 2016” is centered around the similarities between the two years, but more importantly is about getting back to a simpler time. People have always had a tendency to romanticize the past and it seems that is happening right now.
Back in 2016, the internet was more relaxed, with less monetization and influencers making their lives seem perfect. It was a big part of young people’s lives, but didn’t control them in the way it often does now. People want to get back to that, to when social media was just posting funny videos and wasn’t so performative.
AI wasn’t in the media the way it is now. 55% of Americans said they use AI on a daily basis. The younger generation are growing frustrated with AI becoming increasingly difficult to spot. They are also frustrated by the abundance of ads disguised as normal videos and monetization making social media feel more fake.
The trend was spurred on by an Instagram 2016 filter, which gives photos and videos a more “retro” look. 2016 was marked by its iconic filters, most notably the dog filter. The filters feel more innocent and fun and remind people of their younger day when every photo was overlaid with a filter.
Stranger Things has been a major part of the past decade, but especially this year and the end of last year. The fifth and final season has brought back nostalgia and memories of the first season, which aired in 2016. The show became so iconic because of its incredible world, characters, and suspense. Game of Thrones season six also came out in 2016, along with seasons of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Westworld, and Better Call Saul.
Music from 2016 is one of the biggest things coming back. Most notably, Zara Larsson with her hit Lush Life. The song is full of energy and those 2016 vibes that people want to get back to. The song is included on Spotify playlists themed around 2016 which have seen a 71% increase in popularity recently.
Justin Bieber has recently dropped an album, SWAG, creating new popularity for the 31 year old artist. Ken Muraoka, a business teacher at Ida B. Wells, spoke about the resurgence of his music. “You had all of these young girls in 2016 who are now young women…And now they see him a little bit differently, because they’re adult women,” he said. “I’m willing to bet that if Justin Bieber went on tour, he would be wildly successful.”
Even 2016 fashion is coming back. While fashion is typically on a 30 year cycle, there is currently a kind of blend of 2010’s and 90’s clothes. “They were into tight fit and bright colors…a lot of pinks, a lot of light blues. Said Frank Mathews, a history teacher and soccer coach at IBW.
While the current style leans more baggy pants and sweatshirts, we can see some resurgence of the 2016 style. Brands like Hollister are bringing back bootcut jeans and colorful tops along with their more 90s style baggy sweatpants.
Skinny jeans are returning as well and there are mixed feelings on the internet about them. Some feel they can be styled really well with tall boots, and others argue that they can’t be cute any other way and are therefore not versatile enough.
Fashion and music aren’t the only things coming back. Trump just finished his first year of his second term in office, while in 2016, he was elected for the first time.
Mathews remembers the day Trump was elected vividly. He was coaching the boys soccer team in the final four championships. “We were at McMinnville, and everyone thought that Hillary was going to win, and she didn’t,” said Mathews, “It’s hard to deal with any kind of change in life, and that was a profound change for everyone.”
“Collectively from our country, it’s like we’re just resigning to whatever happens.” Said Mathews. It seems that young people on the internet are responding to the feeling of hopelessness in the country right now, whether consciously or subconsciously. They are longing to go back to a time when people still had hope that they could affect change in the world.
2026 isn’t exactly like 2016 of course, but a blend of current and old trends. Young people are moving toward comfort and nostalgia, while also using their creativity and blending their new trends with old ones.
