In 2026 online trends are nearly unavoidable, with new ones emerging every few weeks. Common online trends can range from humorous videos and catchphrases to images, fashion and even social movements. Trends can be a way of fostering community and encouraging people to express creativity (such as inspiring people to put their own twist on a popular video), but they can also create social pressure to conform (such as inducing FOMO) and possibly even cause physical harm to people when they feel urged to indulge in a reckless fad. Trends can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of years. If you choose to participate in a trend, it’s best to proceed with caution and ask yourself the reason as to why you are participating.
Many people may simply participate in a trend to fit in with others, possibly for the sole reason of feeling ‘cool and trendy.’ While there may be little to no harm in some trends, such as TikTok dances or saying a funny phrase, some trends that involve pranks or dangerous stunts have the potential to harm yourself, those around you and even the environment. Many people may also come to regret involving themselves with certain challenges in the future when the thing that was once popular becomes ‘lame’ or ‘outdated,’ such as getting a certain type of tattoo design or buying an expensive piece of clothing that was only worn once.
According to The American Osteopathic Association, “From the rapid circulation of misinformation to deadly pranks and increasing psychological stressors, social media has at times become a serious detriment to society’s health and well-being when used incorrectly and without medical guidance.”
One recent social media trend that has emerged in the past few weeks is the viral Dumpling Squishy product. The product is an incredibly popular sensory and fidget toy that has seemingly taken over TikTok. It is packaged to look like a realistic bamboo steamer basket, has the design of a squishy Bao bun with an expressive face and occasionally contains mystery surprises (such as colorful glitter hidden inside the package). The product is also in the format of a blind box, where the packaging features different designs, colors and textures of the possible squishy included, leading to a fun and exciting unboxing experience.
Many online creators began filming themselves unboxing and creating ASMR videos (a type of content that involves creating sensory triggers which can create a ‘pleasant tingling sensation’ in certain viewers) with these sensory toys, leading to virality. This has inspired others to search for this product as well, both to find enjoyment of their own and attempt to achieve virality for themselves. Another reason for the rise of this trend is that customers seem to find a thrill in the mystery box aspect of the product. This aspect can encourage people to start a collection of the different types of dumplings and search for the ones that they might be missing. Furthermore, finding ‘rares’ can give the customer a thrill similar to winning the lottery and inspire them to share it with others, repeating the cycle.
According to journalist Katy Marquardt Hill, “The uncertainty is part of the fun—you never know what you’ll get until you open one. Sharing the experience makes it even better.”
However, this trend has led to creators buying out these products in bulk, sometimes clearing out store shelves simply to film content. This can have unintended consequences like item scarcity, as resellers and competitive buyers make people feel as though they must buy this item immediately before it sells out. Resellers have also taken advantage of this situation by buying many boxes at once, further heightening the difficulty of finding the product at popular stores. This can prevent the target audience, children and adults who use sensory toys, from obtaining them.
These ‘dumplings’ can also harm one’s health, despite their innocent appearance. Recent investigations have shown that these toys’ chemical makeup includes toxic fumes known as volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Viral testing by parents and air quality experts has shown that certain Squishy Dumplings emit dangerously high levels of these VOCs out of the package, and extended exposure can lead to headaches, dizziness and respiratory issues. When these toys break open, the gel that leaks out can also cause skin irritation, peeling and chemical burns.
According to an investigation on TikTok reported by Yahoo! News, “…after leaving the toys near the air quality reader in a bag for a few minutes, the level of VOCs shot up to nearly 1,600 parts per billion. While the ‘safe’ level of VOCs varies between different agencies, some estimates state that safe levels exist below 500 parts per billion.”
Furthermore, when people buy items simply because they are considered ‘trendy,’ this can lead to over-consumerism, the pressure to buy goods beyond what is necessary. The ‘gambling’ aspect of these Dumpling Squishies and the trend of buying many boxes in bulk can lead to waste, especially if one discards a toy because ‘it wasn’t the one they wanted.’ The popularity of this trend can also lead to FOMO (the fear of missing out), which can contribute to impulse buying and unwise financial decisions.
In conclusion, when engaging in an online trend it is best to remain cautious and aware of what you’re engaging in and the potential consequences of your actions. It’s important to ask yourself what the reason behind why you’re participating in a trend might be, and if it is purely because other people are doing it, it is best to avoid it and do something else that you actually enjoy. When buying a trending item, it is good to keep in mind that it might not be popular in the next few months, and it should only be bought if you know it will still be used and enjoyed after the hype around the item dies down.
