Function of “Memes” in Adolescent Communication: A Theoretical Review

Abstract

Twenty years ago, distracted boyfriend, grumpy cat, and Kermit the Frog would have been three terms that had nothing in common. Today, they are instantly recognized by many as characters of some of the most popular memes. As technology rapidly progressed at the turn of the century, memes evolved to become a crucial aspect of internet culture. What remains to be seen, however, is how this influences communication, and whether or not there is a generational gap in understanding of this new way of communicating. This paper reviews the definition and a brief history of internet memes before discussing the common characteristics of memes. Research related to possible reasons for the popularity of memes, such as human preference for analogy and the inherent desire to belong to an ingroup, are also examined. Possible explanations for the generational divide in understanding and use of memes are considered. It is hypothesized that future experiments would reveal a discrepancy in fundamental understanding of memes across age groups.