A seismic cultural clash is playing out across TikTok and Instagram, as a wave of Gen Z users are taking it upon themselves to retrain their millennial predecessors in the unwritten rules of modern social media. What began as a series of light-hearted videos has exploded into a full-blown online movement, dubbed by many as 'Millennial Boot Camp'.
The Digital Etiquette Coach
At the forefront of this trend is 23-year-old content creator Tilly, known online as @tilly_keegan. With a mix of blunt honesty and comedic charm, her videos have garnered millions of views by pinpointing the specific online behaviours that make Gen Z collectively cringe.
The Cardinal Sins of Millennial Posting
So, what are the outdated habits landing millennials in digital detention? Tilly and her followers have created a definitive list of faux pas:
- Hashtag Overload: #Using #too #many #hashtags #for #a #simple #post #like #this. Gen Z insists on a minimalist approach, favouring relevance over quantity.
- The Classic Mirror Selfie: Leaning against a bathroom mirror with a raised eyebrow is now considered a relic of a bygone era. The verdict? It's time to retire the pose.
- Oversharing on Facebook: Vague-booking and posting lengthy, emotional status updates for your entire friends list to see is a definite no-go. Gen Z prefers the intimate, ephemeral nature of Stories and close friends lists.
- Instagram Husbandry: The overly posed, husband-photographed tourist shot is out. Authentic, casual, and seemingly spontaneous content is in.
A Generational Divide or Helpful Guidance?
The reaction to this unsolicited advice has been fiercely divided. Many millennials have responded with defiance, defending their right to post 'cringey' content without the judgement of a younger generation. Others, however, have welcomed the advice, admitting the digital landscape has evolved dramatically since they first joined Facebook.
This phenomenon highlights a deeper, ongoing conversation about how each generation curates its digital identity. For millennials, who came of age alongside social media, platforms were a new frontier for connection. For Gen Z, native to a hyper-saturated digital world, online presence is a nuanced performance requiring strict curation and self-awareness.
The Verdict on Viral Boot Camps
Whether viewed as constructive criticism or generational gatekeeping, the 'Millennial Boot Camp' trend is a powerful reminder that online etiquette is not static. As platforms and trends shift, so do the rules of engagement. The key takeaway? Perhaps we could all benefit from a little digital self-reflection—no matter which generation we belong to.
