Why is everyone posting 2016? What to know about the nostalgic social media trend that’s dominating TikTok

By the time they get into their 20s, every generation seems to have nostalgia for one year from their teenage years.

For people in my generation (Gen X), that year is usually cited as 1994—the final year before the internet really started taking hold. But if a recent trend on TikTok is anything to go by, the year Gen Z is most nostalgic for is 2016.

Here’s what you need to know.

‘2026 is the new 2016’

In recent days, TikTok has been flooded with variations...