January: PREDICTIONS 2024 EDITION 1
We kicked off the year by exploring bold predictions shaping 2024, from AI advancements to activism trends.
PREDICTIONS 2024 EDITION 2
Continuing our predictions, we spotlighted what brands and culture-watchers needed to know for the year ahead.
SKIN DEEP
This edition delved into youth beauty culture, where raw authenticity meets innovative skincare trends.
What Got Youth Talking This Week?
The first deep dive of the year into the buzziest youth conversations and cultural moments.February: 2024:THEPLOT
A look at the big cultural narratives and movements defining the youth storylines of 2024. YOUNG LOVE, CONNECTION & DISCONNECTION
Exploring how Gen Z balances connection and disconnection in the modern dating landscape. CASH FOR DRAMA – TIKTOK'S BATTLE ROYALE
TikTok’s competitive creator economy got dramatic—this edition broke it all down. From Generals to Grandfathers: The TikTok-ification of Politics
We examined how TikTok is reshaping political narratives and empowering new voices. March: SDGs and THE ROAD TO 2030
We explored the intersection of youth culture and the Sustainable Development Goals, paving the way to 2030. IRELAND'S SO HOT RIGHT NOW!
This spotlight captured Ireland’s rising cultural influence in 2024. THE PETRO-STATE OF FOOTBALL: A Well Oiled Machine
A deep dive into football’s evolving, oil-fuelled political and financial game. Opinion: 10 TAKEAWAYS FROM SXSW 2024
A wrap-up of the most exciting, insightful, and impactful moments from SXSW 2024. THE BUSINESS MOVEMENT EVERYONE’S TALKING ABOUT
This edition highlighted the rise of purpose-driven business in 2024.
April: COWBOY CARTER
We unpacked why this rogue political figure captured the youth imagination. THE RETURN OF LONG FORM
As attention spans seemed shorter than ever, we celebrated the comeback of deep, thoughtful content. DECODING COACHELLA
A festival breakdown—how Coachella remained the ultimate youth cultural playground. 5 THINGS FROM CULTURE THAT CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION THIS WEEK
A fun look back at the most talked-about cultural tidbits of the week.
May: HOW CAN WE REIMAGINE A ‘GOOD LIFE’?
We revisited how young people are redefining what it means to live well in 2024. TikTok & Music: The Rhythmic Revolution
TikTok’s role in reshaping music, from breakout viral hits to choreo trends, stole the spotlight. THE SOCIAL SHUFFLE: NEED TO KNOW NEWS
A breakdown of key social media updates that shaped the digital landscape. YOUTH PULSE: TOP 5 CULTURAL HITS THIS WEEK
A round-up of the week’s top trends that resonated with young audiences. WHAT’S HOLDING YOUTH’S ATTENTION?
A dive into the platforms, memes, and media captivating young minds.
June
GAME ON: THE EXPLOSION OF GAMING INTO MAINSTREAM CULTURE
Gaming levelled up in 2024—this edition explored its takeover of mainstream culture. YOUTH CULTURE UNCOVERED 2024 - THE FUTURE OF NEWS
How youth consumption of news is shifting and reshaping the media landscape. MORE NEWS!
A follow-up to our news coverage, diving even deeper into what’s shaping the headlines. UHHH... BRAINROT
A relatable take on how youth feel about content overload—and why "brainrot" became the word of the year. July BRAT SUMMER!
We celebrated the bold, bratty summer vibes and what they tell us about youth identity in 2024. FESTIVAL SZN SIZE UP
A cultural snapshot of the 2024 festival season, exploring trends and what’s resonating with young audiences. EMBRACING CHAOS: The Surrealism of Gen Z
Gen Z’s surreal, chaotic humour and how it’s reshaping cultural narratives took centre stage. KAMALA'S MEMES GIVE HOPE FOR DEMOCRACY: We told you it would be a brat summer…
How Kamala Harris became a meme queen—and what it means for political engagement. August LESSONS FROM THE OLYMPICS
We unpacked the cultural and marketing takeaways from the 2024 Summer Olympics. OlympicTok
TikTok’s influence on the Olympics—how it made sport more accessible and relatable to youth. The Future of Travel
Travel trends with a spotlight on Ireland’s ongoing cultural and tourism boom. Ireland’s So Hot Right Now: Part 2
A deeper dive into Ireland’s cultural renaissance, showcasing its enduring global appeal. TikTok Trends: UNDERCONSUMPTION CORE
The rise of minimalism and anti-consumerism trends on TikTok explored through the Gen Z lens.
September: Oasis and the Ticketmaster Fiasco Unfolded
How the Oasis reunion tour sparked debates about fairness and accessibility in ticketing. Nation States vs Big Tech
The growing tension between governments and tech giants—and why it matters to young people. Championing the SDGs
Youth-led movements putting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the forefront of activism. PACT FOR THE FUTURE
Exploring international agreements shaping global youth culture and environmental priorities.
October: TELL ME I'M PRETTY: A CINEMATIC OBSESSION WITH YOUTH AND BEAUTY
Why cinema continues to glamorise youth and beauty—and how it’s affecting self-perception. THE AI CREATIVE REVOLUTION CONTINUES
How AI is reshaping the creative landscape for brands, creators, and consumers. THE GREAT GENDER DIVERGENCE
Examining gender divergence in youth culture, from fashion to digital spaces. FALLCORE - WHY AUTUMN IS GEN Z’S FAVOURITE TIME OF THE YEAR
Exploring why Gen Z romanticises autumn and how brands can tap into the "fallcore" aesthetic.
November:
WICKED WINS: UTILISING FOMO FOR KILLER CAMPAIGNS
Breaking down the psychology of FOMO and how brands successfully use it to engage Gen Z. HOW TRUMP TRUMPED HARRIS
A cultural analysis of the shock 2024 US election outcome and its implications for youth audiences. YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT (feeding the feed)
Youth’s relationship with food culture, identity, and how brands are feeding their feeds. BLUESKY RISING
How Bluesky is emerging as the decentralised social platform to watch in 2024. BLACK FRIDAY 2024: “LESS BUYING, MORE BEING.”
Exploring the cultural backlash against overconsumption and the rise of meaningful alternatives. December:
THE BIGGEST CELEBRITY YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF
Kai Cenat’s record-breaking Twitch takeover and what it signals about the future of live streaming. AND THE WORD OF THE YEAR IS…
A retrospective on the youth-driven word trends that shaped 2024, from "brainrot" to "aura." CREATOR ECONOMY - 2024 WRAPPED
A final round-up of the most discussed and impactful topics from The Love Network and global youth culture. | 
