The first weeks of 2026 have triggered an unexpected digital time travel. Across Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms, users are rummaging through old photos, videos, and Snapchat filters from 2016, captioning their posts with the now-viral line: “2026 is the new 2016.” Grainy selfies, dog-ear filters, and lo-fi videos are once again filling feeds worldwide.
For many, 2016 evokes memories of a simpler, less curated online era. Social media users are sharing throwbacks of teenage milestones, friendships, and the chaotic yet carefree energy that defined their early internet experiences. Carousels of old photos, short clips, and sound tracked videos have become the norm, with music hits from the mid-2010s like “Closer” by The Chainsmokers and Halsey or “All Time Low” by Jon Bellion adding an emotional layer to these nostalgic trips.
The trend is not limited to ordinary users. Celebrities and influencers are joining in. Singer Khalid posted photos from his high school and early career days simply captioned “2016.” Model Karlie Kloss shared images featuring the iconic dog filter, while Charlie Puth lip-synced his 2016 hit “We Don’t Talk Anymore” using a retro filter, quipping, “Heard it was 2016 again?” In India, actors like Ananya Panday and content creator Kusha Kapila dug into their archives to share moments from the year.
Old Trends Comes Along
Instagram itself has embraced the nostalgia. The platform’s official page is posting throwbacks, highlighting 2016 milestones like Selena Gomez being the most-followed user, the platform’s new logo launch, and popular emojis of the time. Fans are rediscovering early trends such as Snapchat filters, Boomerangs, Retrica photos, and viral moments like the Mannequin Challenge, PPAP, and Dubsmash videos.
Fashion and aesthetics from 2016 are also making a comeback. Bold brows, matte lips, heavy contour, chokers, pencil skirts, and knee-high boots are appearing on timelines alongside soft-focus filters that were once omnipresent. The trend is less about perfection and more about reliving the vibe: messy, fun, spontaneous, and emotionally charged.
Experts suggest the resurgence reflects a collective longing for authenticity in an era dominated by polished, curated social media. Ten years on, 2016 represents a playful, carefree period that many want to relive proof that some memories are timeless, even in a fast-moving digital world.
