The Hashtag Phenomenon: Analyzing the Motivations Behind Jobless Engineering Students

The hashtag phenomenon, particularly noticed on platforms like Twitter, has been increasingly observed among a specific demographic: jobless engineering students and recent graduates in Tamil Nadu, India. Understanding the reasons behind this trend is crucial for both social media analysts and the community at large. In this article, we delve into the motivations and social dynamics that underpin this behavior.

Reasons Behind the Hashtag Trend

The hashtag phenomenon among these students can be attributed to several factors, each intertwining personal and societal contexts. Here, we explore the core reasons driving these trends:

No Recent Visits from Modi

A notable reason cited for the hashtag trend is the lack of visits from political leaders, specifically Prime Minister Modi, to Tamil Nadu. This absence often creates a sense of disenfranchisement and prompts students to voice their dissatisfaction through social media, using hashtags to highlight their causes.

Drained Movie Releases

Another significant factor is the noticeably reduced movie releases in the state. Tamil Nadu is renowned for its strong film industry, which often serves as a source of excitement and social events for the youth. The absence of new releases has led to a vacuum that these students have tried to fill through social media campaigns, using hashtags to draw attention.

BIGG Boss Tamil's Absence

BIGG Boss Tamil, a popular reality TV show, has also contributed to the hashtag phenomenon. When the show is not on air, there is a void in terms of entertainment and social engagement, which students try to address by creating and circulating hashtags to maintain a semblance of community and engagement.

Exams Over Yet No Leisure

College students often look forward to the holidays after exams for leisure and social activities. However, with restrictions due to the ongoing pandemic, they face limited avenues for enjoyment. Therefore, they turn to social media to express their frustration and dissatisfaction, using hashtags as a medium of protest and expression.

Dalgona Coffee's Decline

The rise and subsequent decline of the Dalgona coffee trend also played a role. Initially, the trend brought much excitement and social engagement, but its quick fade left behind a sense of lost cultural moment. This prompted the students to seek the next big thing to engage with online.

Completion of Money Heist Seasons

The completion of all four seasons of the popular Money Heist series might seem a trivial factor, but for a highly engaged audience, it marked the end of a significant entertainment bloc. The lack of new content in their favorite series pushed these students to create and participate in trending hashtags to find a new avenue for engagement.

College Students and Social Media Rebellion

These jobless engineering students and recent graduates are often described as lacking in traditional education, which explains why they resort to social media rebellion. Their actions on social media are more about a sense of rebelliousness than any meaningful political or societal change.

According to one of the authors, a former professor, it is a mix of the graduates being 'graduated but not educated.' This mantra emphasizes the gap between formal education and social and emotional education, often seen in today's youth.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the hashtag phenomenon among jobless engineering students in Tamil Nadu is a complex tapestry of social, political, and entertainment factors. While these trends might seem trivial to some, they serve as a lens through which the broader issues of youth engagement, societal expectations, and the role of social media in modern society can be examined.

As technology and social media continue to evolve, understanding these trends is essential for stakeholders ranging from educators to policymakers. By addressing the underlying issues, we can help channel the energy of these students in more productive and positive ways.

Keywords: tamilnadu protests, jobless students, social media trends