They can brag about anything.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, "flex" means to bend or curve. However, it's also a slang word often used by rappers to show off, to the point of being annoying to others.
While it carries that meaning, "flex" in the eyes of many young people doesn't convey a sense of showing off or competing with others. Many young people use these displays to convey positive and cheerful messages to others. For young people, any topic can be turned into something to "flex": academic achievement, talent in various fields ( music , sports, etc.), family, career, the number of likes on social media, or even... nothing to show off. "Flex" posts often attract hundreds or thousands of likes and many comments and interactions on social media platforms.
As a member of the "Flex to the Last Breath" group that's currently trending on Facebook, Nguyen Hong Phuong Thao (19 years old, Phuoc Vinh ward) said she regularly follows the group's posts. "The posts from young people often share their memorable experiences, achievements, or personal milestones. Even celebrities like MC Khanh Vy, MC Duc Bao (VTV), or singers Hoang Dung and Only C... share their stories and personal achievements. Their sharing gives young people like me more motivation to continue studying, working, and pursuing our dreams," Phuong Thao shared.
Besides showcasing their academic achievements, many young people also share meaningful activities such as the number of times they have donated blood or volunteer trips to help those in need. Particularly noteworthy are the "flex" sessions shared by firefighters and police officers about the joys and sorrows of their profession and service to the people. "Such stories are very well received by young people like us, because we rarely know about the work of police officers, about how they protect people's lives. I think such sharing contributes to enhancing the positive image of the police force among the younger generation," said Phuong Thao.
One post that also attracted thousands of likes and comments on Facebook was from Nguyen Van Thien Triet, a recent valedictorian of the Chemistry Education major at Hue University of Education. Thien Triet shared: “I don’t have any outstanding achievements, but luckily I’ve fulfilled my dream in this life.” Thien Triet’s dream was to become a teacher to impart knowledge to students. However, the terrible cancer seemed to prevent Thien Triet from realizing his ambition, as it greatly affected his voice. Undeterred, the student from Hue University of Education worked tirelessly to achieve many good results.
Thien Triet's post attracted many encouraging and supportive comments on Facebook. Even another student from the University of Economics , Hue University, took the opportunity to "show off" that they had the chance to meet Thien Triet at the Hue University chess tournament in early 2023.
It can be said that the "flex" trend attracts many young people because of the stories shared, which help them gain more motivation, and also provide an opportunity for young people to spread positive values to the community.
Be careful when showing off.
According to Dr. Le Dang Bao Chau, Head of the Social Management Department, Faculty of Sociology and Social Work, University of Science, Hue University, young people showcasing their achievements on social media contributes to spreading positivity. However, the downside is that this can lead to arrogance in the face of praise from the online community. “Besides praise, young people can also be affected by criticism. If they don't know how to filter and absorb positive comments, young people can easily fall into feelings of inferiority and lose direction,” Dr. Le Dang Bao Chau analyzed.
Besides the risk of personal attacks, young people also face the risk of information theft, especially important information such as bank account details, phone numbers, and national identity card numbers. Malicious actors can exploit photos of young people showing off their bank account balances, houses, driver's licenses, etc., to steal information and then use it for illegal purposes.
"Flex" is a trend that has spread rapidly among young people because the values and stories shared have gained much favor from the online community. However, young people should also be careful and know how to protect themselves from the dangers on social media.
Source
Comment (0)