Instagram started as a simple photo-sharing app, but today, it’s filled with all kinds of content—some of it creative, some useful, and a lot of it just plain ridiculous. From people doing silly challenges to random trends that make no sense, Instagram often feels like a competition for attention rather than a place for meaningful content.
Take the "sleep stream" trend, where people go live while sleeping, expecting others to watch and send virtual gifts. It sounds bizarre, but these streams attract thousands of viewers. Another example is how some influencers stage fake luxury lifestyles just for likes and followers. In fact, many accounts go to great lengths to appear popular, and some even look for ways to get free Instagram likes. When likes and views become more important than real content, the platform starts feeling like a race for meaningless numbers.
Then there are viral pranks that go too far. Some people try to gain followers by pulling off extreme stunts, often risking their own safety. Others take harmless jokes and turn them into public nuisances, like pranksters disturbing strangers in public places just for reactions. Even media sites like Vice have reported how social media has encouraged people to do risky and absurd things just for online fame.
Of course, not everything on Instagram is pointless. Many creators share useful tips, motivational content, and educational posts. But the overwhelming amount of bizarre trends sometimes overshadows the good. Even brands now use viral challenges to gain visibility, with marketing experts using platforms like Google Trends to track what’s trending and plan their content accordingly.
At the end of the day, Instagram is what people make of it. While it’s fun to scroll through entertaining content, the rise of silly trends raises the question—are we consuming content for fun, or are we just contributing to the cycle of nonsense?