Entry #7. The #HashtagTrend

The #HashtagTrend

A hashtag is the little symbol (#) used by many social media sites to organize, categorize, and unite anyone who share the same topic. For example, if you were on Twitter and wanted to know what everyone else thought about the most recent episode of your favorite show, you could simply search "#gameofthrones" and everyone's posts that included the same hashtag would be presented. It is not
 just twitter however. Many other social media websites have incorporated the hashtag system in their websites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Tumblr.

I cannot pinpoint the time that the hashtag trend rose in popularity. I can however say that the moment that made me aware of it was after the release of the song "The Motto" by popular rapper Drake in 2012. The popularity of the song caused many of the fellow young people around me to not just make posts with Drake's motto: "#YOLO", but to also verbally say the hashtag in regular conversation. Soon afterwards, even TV shows would promote their hashtag in hopes of getting its audience to partake in conversation about it on their social media platforms.

Despite being annoying to some for being obnoxious, it is undeniable that the hashtag trend has been very influential as of late. Specifically, its ability to unite people for something other than a rapper or a show's popularity has been demonstrated time and time again. When something tragic like a natural disaster strikes a group of people and they need a relief effort, it is not uncommon for a hashtag to be created regarding it. It is made to spread awareness to people who would otherwise never know about it, and hopefully inspire said people to help out. However, the hashtag trend can also be used for people to spark debates regarding practically anything that can be divisive such as a sports game or a tragic shooting.

I write this based on what I have observed over the years, as I choose not to engage in social media as much as others. Despite this, I believe that hashtags have become a very useful tool. Its ability to bring much needed focus to the extremely broad plain that is the internet is very helpful.