Social Trends to End in 2025: A Call for More Thoughtful Online Communities
- Liz Achanta
- Jan 6
- 3 min read
I'm a part of a few community groups on Facebook. Some are elective, like my 'Michigan Winemaker's' group, which gives me helpful recipes, tips & tricks on making fruit wine at home, and some are a necessity, like my town's 'Happenings' page (because that's the only way I can get news of what events are happening in my town).
The 'Happenings' page, as mentioned, is a necessity to get local news, but to be completely honest, I hate the page. I hate being a member of it, and I hate the spam that comes from it. This blog post is my 'ode' to said Community page, to make the page less of an embarassment and more of a tool.
The internet, and especially social media, is an incredible tool for connection, learning, and sharing. Yet, every silver lining has its cloud, and in this case, it’s the social habits that have become so commonplace, they’re almost rituals—rituals that frustrate, alienate, or unnecessarily clutter our digital spaces. As we head into 2025, let’s identify and commit to ending some of these trends for the betterment of online communities everywhere.
1. "Admin Please Delete If Not Allowed"
This phrase is a staple in community posts, especially in Facebook groups. While the intention is polite, it’s also entirely redundant. Group admins already have the power to moderate content and remove posts that violate the rules. They don’t need your explicit permission to do so. By starting your post this way, you’re essentially apologizing for your presence before you’ve even made your point.
Better Approach: Familiarize yourself with group guidelines before posting. Most groups clearly outline what is and isn’t allowed. If you’re unsure, you can always ask an admin directly or preface your post with context about how it aligns with the group’s purpose.
2. "To the Person Who…"
We’ve all seen it: a passive-aggressive rant directed at an anonymous individual in a community group. It’s often a complaint about a perceived slight or behavior, and it rarely leads to anything productive. Instead, it fosters negativity and turns community spaces into gripe boards.
Better Approach: If you have genuine feedback or a concern, consider addressing it privately with the individual or letting it go entirely. Not everything warrants a public airing. Use community spaces to uplift, not to shame.
3. Asking Repeat Questions Without Using the Search Bar
One of the most frustrating trends in online communities is seeing the same question posted repeatedly, often when the answer is readily available through a simple search. This clutters group feeds, dilutes meaningful discussions, and creates unnecessary work for members who feel compelled to answer the same query over and over.
Better Approach: Before posting a question, take a moment to use the group’s search function. Chances are, someone else has already asked (and answered) your question. If you can’t find the information you need, then post your question with specific details to encourage helpful responses.
4. Resharing Without Fact-Checking
The internet is an echo chamber, and resharing unverified information amplifies misinformation. This trend has become more dangerous as platforms like Facebook have scaled back fact-checking initiatives. When people share posts without verifying their accuracy, it can perpetuate false narratives and even cause harm.
Better Approach: Fact-check before you share. Tools like Snopes, FactCheck.org, and even a quick Google search can help verify the legitimacy of a claim. If you can’t verify it, don’t share it. Remember, your online actions contribute to the information ecosystem, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to keep it clean.
Why These Changes Matter
These trends, while seemingly minor, have cumulative effects on the quality and tone of online communities. By eliminating these habits, we create spaces that are:
More Productive: Less redundancy means more room for meaningful discussions.
More Positive: Shifting from passive-aggressiveness to constructive communication fosters goodwill.
More Trustworthy: Fact-checking before sharing builds credibility and combats misinformation.
Final Thoughts
As we embrace 2025, let’s make a collective effort to be more mindful in our online interactions. Communities thrive on mutual respect, thoughtful contributions, and accountability. By addressing these habits, we can set a new standard for how we engage online—one that prioritizes value over noise.
