Main Character, Emma Vincencio

Main Character

Emma Vicencio

Upon hearing this term, one can respond to it with the textbook definition of it being a central character within any story. Yet for adolescents, the term has taken an entirely new image under their glossary of common catchphrases. To put it in simple terms, being a “main character” revolves around this fantasy that you are the star of indie movie who is characteristically quirky, extroverted, and has an eccentric way of dressing (Racster, 2020). The term was introduced to TikTok in 2020 and has since become a trend after an audio snippet was released by Ashley Ward (Richardson, 2021). The audio emphasized the need for people to start romanticizing their lives and start thinking of themselves as the “main character,” which sparked interest amongst many people online (Richardson, 2021). Namely adolescents flocked towards this audio and began creating short videos that highlighted their best and most exciting moments.

This phrase correlates to the experiences of adolescents, as it facilitates this desire for self-expression and feeling validated, especially online. As explained in Uses and Gratifications Sought by Pre-

Adolescent and Adolescent TikTok Consumers, “ within the pre-adolescent and adolescent age bracket, the most cited motives for producing content was linked to needs of self-expression, social recognition and fame-seeking…” (Christina and Kottasz, 2020). As adolescents continue to navigate the online world, they become more eager to experiment freely with their identity and presentation of the self. In a video uploaded by Matalin Racster, she described the “main character” as having unique qualities that puts you higher on the list of being important and seen (Racster, 2020). This in turn creates the idea that you have to

act or dress a certain way in order to attract attention and be considered a “main character.” The video also described how this concept relates to the reason why most people are on TikTok, which is to be noticed by more people (Racster, 2020). What we can then away from adolescents and their behaviours, is this desire to be seen and feel validated by others. Social media and the trends or phrases associated with it, contributes to this notion through the construction of one’s identity which is constantly at play. This concept of the “main character” can in some ways be problematic to adolescents and their mental health, as it perpetuates this habit of comparison. Deciding to share one’s highlights on social media is not an authentic portrayal of one’s actual experiences. Yet this can cause limitations to the way adolescents perceive their own lives and how they express themselves online or in real life.

Ultimately, the concept of the “main character” helps us understand the experiences of young people as confusing, experimental, and exciting. Adolescents are at what feels like a very pivotal stage in their lives where they can explore their identity, sexuality, likes, and dislikes; but when the phrase “main character” is thrown in, it can make one feel anxious about not living to their full potential. However, I think the term also speaks to the more fulfilling aspects of the adolescent experience, as they try to navigate what it means to be a “main character” themselves. References

Christina, B. B., & Kottasz, R. (2020). Uses and gratifications sought by pre-adolescent and adolescent TikTok consumers. Young Consumers, 21(4), 463-478. https://doi.org/10.1108/YC-07-2020-1186 Racster, M [Matalin Racster]. (2020, June 20). Main Character Syndrome [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HXNS_B_Nag

Richardson, C. (2021, June 6). TikTok’s ‘Main Character’ Trend: Self Care or Toxic Narcissism.

Brig Newspaper. https://brignews.com/2021/06/06/tiktoks-main-character-trend-self-care-ortoxic-narcissism/