IYKYK, Kaitlyn Cordeiro Jane and Finch, Wileene Grace Olimpo………………………………………………………169

IYKYK✨

Kaitlyn Cordeiro

Do you even know what this means? Well, to be fair, if you know, you know. IYKYK is an abbreviation that is popular amongst adolescence, specifically older adolescent who are on social media. Basically, if you were there, you’d know what we’re talking about. But if you weren’t there, then you wouldn’t understand. This word signifies exclusive information or jokes that is only available to those who were there or to those who were aware of the situation. Promoting exclusive information, this term is often held to those who can be apart of the clique or that know how to stay up with the trends. IYKYK is exclusive for those who are privy to the inside joke, generation, clique, etc. To most adolescents, fitting in is extremely important. Being cool or trendy is something that has been popular amongst the masses, specifically digitally. Teens use social media as a connecting power, and Mery Diaz and Benjamin Shepard write, “Behavioral rehearsals are considered positive and are indicative of Facebook use, where adolescents adapt their profiles, read those of their friends, engage in comparison, and then further adapt their profiles to fit in with the norms of the community” (Diaz and Shepard 2019). Whether it is through social media or at an event, it feels important for a teen to be apart of something. You can walk down a high school hallway and amongst the chatters, you will most likely hear, “did you see that insta post?” or “that tiktok was insane!” and embarrassingly enough, if you did not see these posts, you’re probably going to be left in the dust. Often, the exclusive social media posts that have “iykyk” are streamed for a specific audience, and if it comes up on your page but you don’t know, this probably will make you confused or left out. Looking at figure on the left, if you were at the party, you would know why Robin Joie made this tweet – it’s an inside joke. Why is this significant to adolescent? Being left out instills FOMO within adolescence, making them feel isolated. Being included, or at least accepted, is something that alludes a sense of belonging. Feeling accepted or included also promotes connections between others and build relationships. But what if that doesn’t happen? What if a kid does not fit in? According to Rachel Norman, “acceptance and belonging are basic human needs. If a person doesn’t find acceptance within their family and peers, they will begin to exhibit symptoms of rejection” (Norman, 2022). This does not necessarily promote being the same as other, but rather, this involves inclusivity and accepting personalities. Teaching adolescents that it is okay to be different, and to make everyone feel welcomed, we should be making them feel included as well. That is why this is such a keyword for adolescence –belonging and acceptance is what we look for, but if you don’t “know”, then how is it possible?

IYKYK is catering to a specific crowd who shared, or care to share, the same experience. When you are included in this, it feels great. You can relate to others, feel included and also have a sense of importance. But if you don’t, it can be hurtful. It’s quite damaging to know that you are an outsider. And with adolescent years being so crucial in development, it can be quite harmful to some. However, this is something that not everyone understands. Truthfully, one way to put it is that those who get it, do. Those who don’t, don’t. Essentially, if you know, you know –you know?

Bibliography

Diaz, M., & Shepard, B. (2019). Narrating Practice with Children and Adolescents. Columbia University Press. Grund, T. U. (2014). Why Your Friends Are More Important and Special Than You Think. Sociological

Science, 1, 128-140. https://doi.org/10.15195/v1.a10 Iykyk. Urban Dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=iykyk Norman, R. (2021, July 31). Why kids need to fit in before they can be themselves. A Mother Far from Home. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://amotherfarfromhome.com/help-your-childsocialize/

Vicente, V. (2022, October 28). What does "IYKYK" mean, and how do you use it? How. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.howtogeek.com/745142/what-does-iykyk-mean-and-howdo-you-use-it/

Jane and Finch

Wileene Grace Olimpo