As the year comes to an end, we take a look at some of the most popular social media apps, terms, songs and videos of 2013.
The Harlem Shake
“The Harlem Shake” is a catchy tune, and the song started a phenomenon with dance videos made by everyday people, featuring one person dancing amidst bored onlookers. The videos then cutto everyone dancing like in ridiculous costumes with crazed dance moves. These 30-second dance videos originated in Australia but were soon seen worldwide with people from China to Canada creating their own hilarious versions.
Selfie and FOMO were added to The Oxford Dictionary
Social media is shaping our language.
Remember those car pictures of your good hair day that you uploaded to Facebook? Yup, there’s a term for that now.
The Oxford dictionary now defines “selfie” as “a photograph that one has taken of oneself, typically one taken with a smartphone or webcam and uploaded to a social media website.”
The prevalence of social media has also produced a widespread “fear of missing out,” or what the Oxford Dictionary has termed, “FOMO: Anxiety that an exciting or interesting event may currently be happening elsewhere, often aroused by posts seen on a social media website.” Did that guy you met once, two years ago, post a picture of himself on Facebook at a new hot spot? Ack! Why aren’t you there?!
What Does the Fox Say?
The Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis released this catchy, humorous tune that went viral. This may be something that we will happily forget in 2014. But, they have a lot of additional songs, which you won’t be able to make it through without laughing.
Beach Legs or Hot Dogs?
Someone finally did something about those annoying posts of your friends’ legs on the beach/by the pool/somewhere much better and warmer than where you are. Posts of these pictures went viral this year asking viewers to guess, beach legs or hot dogs?
Convos with my Two-Year-Old
We were all captivated by a father reenacting actual conversations with his two-year-old daughter with another grown man. The ridiculousness and hilarity of these videos made their YouTube views skyrocket. I especially love the hairclip that makes an appearance in most episodes in the hair of the man playing the two-year-old.
Vine
Twitter introduced the most downloaded app of 2013, Vine, which produces looping videos of 6 seconds. These videos are often hilarious, and compilations of the best 2013 Vines are available everywhere. Get ready to laugh.
There have been some funny and some annoying moments in the viral world of social media, but no one can debate the impact it has on our lives. In 2013 the University of Florida even introduced the first graduate social media master’s program. What’s next, 2014?
