Whenever Avanti Srinivasan, junior, needs to do her math homework, she chooses to listen to music by Justin Bieber to feel more productive. 

“I love 2016 music,” Srinivasan said. “I feel like it’s my favorite era to listen to because I feel like there’s so many songs that were trending that take me back to my childhood.”

With the new online “#2016” trend that focuses on feeling nostalgic from 2016 and bringing it into 2026, Srinivasan has seen artists like Demi Lovato and Zara Larsson make a comeback.

Srinivasan said 2016 music often feels more fun and lively to her, whereas recent songs all sound similar. 

“I feel like in 2016 there was so much variety in how the music sounds and I definitely think they’re more upbeat,” Srinivasan said. “I can’t think of a sad song that I remember in 2016. They’re all just really happy and they fit with the vibe.” 

Srinivasan said this trend will continue until the summertime because of the prominent summer feel that comes from 2016. 

“Whenever I think about 2016, I just think of sunshine and beaches because I just feel like it’s that kind of era,” Srinivasan said. 

Not only does Srinivasan see this is a trend for fashion, music and online content, but she also sees it for people wanting to revisit their childhoods. 

“I do think it’s a desire for a simpler time because in 2016 nothing that deep really happened,” Srinivasan said. “COVID didn’t hit and we were all just living, so I definitely think that’s what this movement is symbolizing.”

Lynn Richardson, psychology teacher, said the trend can become unhealthy. 

“It’s okay to reflect but it’s not okay to live in it,” Richardson said. “You shouldn’t dwell in the past because where you are is where you’re supposed to be. Even if you feel like you were carefree, you’ll stress yourself out that you aren’t like that anymore.” 

Richardson said students romanticize a time when they were younger with not having as many stresses and responsibilities, as well as not as many disappointments. 

Nethra Kesanapalli, sophomore, has seen TikToks of people posting their photos from 2016 to reflect on the year and show how much people have changed.

Kesanapalli has seen the comeback of low rise skinny jeans, chunky jewelry, brighter makeup, split dresses and big vintage bags. 

“Everything is a lot more accentuated and bigger and bolder,” Kesanapalli said. “The trend has definitely spiked a lot at the end of 2025, but I feel like people have been wanting to go back to the styles from when their parents were teenagers.” 

Though she hasn’t yet, Kesanapalli hopes to participate in the trend herself. 

“I would definitely do the big jewelry, the tank tops and the different hairstyles,” Kesanapalli said. “I would want to experiment with it.”