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17 January, 2026 (Saturday) – By Leah Cho
Trends are present in our everyday lives. From short-form words to certain actions, trends have become an essential part of our lives. However, not all trends are fun or simple things that bring a quick smile. Some trends can be harmful.
Overconsumption has taken over the media, and it hasn’t only brought positive influences. From creating pointless waste and egoism, overconsumption has led to excessive buying of unnecessary goods.
Overconsumption, “The action or fact of consuming something to excess,” has been amplified by media platforms where influencers frequently promote their excessive purchases. This caused “around 92 million tonnes of textile waste are created each year, much of it due to clothing overproduction and overconsumption.”
Nevertheless, many consumers wanting to appear wealthy continue to buy unnecessary goods to match social expectations, with social media playing a major role in promoting these behaviors, especially among adolescents.
The “Bangwagon” effect shows that when people buy more than needed, others start to copy others’ actions to “fit in.”
An example of this effect is called a “haul,” which originated from a trend in social media, where influencers would buy an unnecessary amount of products.
Though this may appear harmless, social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok have a profound impact on adolescents; some teenagers may be able to afford hauls, but many teenagers are not, leading them to compare themselves.
A quote from the Pew Research Center states that “For example, 34% of teen girls say social media platforms make them feel worse about their own lives.” This shows that teenagers, especially girls, are impacted by social media, as platforms like Instagram and TikTok promote idealized lifestyles that many teenagers cannot realistically acquire, leading them to think less of themselves or decreasing their self-worth.
Beyond individual consumers, this online culture also affects businesses.
These hauls encourage consumers to only wear clothes once or twice and return them, causing companies to have massive discharges, costing retailers $890 billion in 2024, worsening since 2019.
Though this may seem harmless since people from the past have also bought unnecessary goods, this is a profound problem because it can end up as an addiction.
According to NIH, “There is a significant association between pathological buying, psychological distress, and impulsivity.”
Pathological buying is a sudden urge to buy a product even though it may be unnecessary.
These constant pressures to buy goods, to “keep up” with society, or rather to not be isolated from society, can lead to financial instability or long-term mental health consequences.
Overconsumption isn’t just buying excessive items; it’s a harmful trend that is starting to settle as a culture. As trends spread throughout the media, people need to be more aware of how social media can influence them.
Simply thinking twice about whether a product is truly needed can reduce waste and the harmful effects of overconsumption substantially.
Leah Cho
Grade 10
Yongsan International School of Seoul
Written on January 17, 2026 (Saturday)
