Stephen Johnson

Stephen Johnson Senior Staff Writer

Experience

Stephen Johnson is a senior staff writer at Lifehacker covering pop culture and technology, including the columns “The Out-of-Touch Adults’ Guide to Kid Culture” and “What People Are Getting Wrong This Week.”

Read Full Bio

April 27, 2026

Add as a preferred source on Google

Add as a preferred source on Google

Credit: @tanaexposes,@cadenscoots,@FilmThePolice - TikTok, X

A weekly deep dive into the current trends, slang, and viral videos of youth culture in terms that even the squarest can understand.

Table of Contents

For members of the always-online generations, reality is hanging by a very thin thread. Core youth values like authenticity and "keeping it real" are confusing concepts to people raised in an environment where almost nothing can be counted on and anything can be faked. Every viral video could be a stealth advertising campaign. Every breakout band, an industry plant.…