Make-up, dress, tux, shoes, nails. The list is endless. Next thing you know either you or your parents notice all that money spent down the drain. Mind you, this is all for ONE DAY.  Ultimately, doesn't the experience matter more than what you are going to post online? As social media became a trend, it has altered the original purpose of prom leading to spending a bunch of money and an increase in status.

We all have those days where we picture ourselves in the perfect outfit eager to party with our friends, with the lights dim while helping ourselves to food and beverages. It’s like in those typical high school movies. Sometimes people would go the extra mile and rent party buses and supercars to make the perfect dramatic entrance. But let's relocate our minds back to reality. Behind the scenes, envisioning the perfect prom comes with a great deal of money.  

Around six-thirty pm, I was dropped off at the destination of our prom. I noticed that there were good-looking old-fashioned classified vehicles dropping off students at the building. Each student's outfit was gorgeous and everyone looked amazing. But just imagine the cost of their outfits from head to toe, not to mention their luxury rides. According to Melissa Simas Tyler, author of  “How Social Media Has Changed the Prom Game (and the Cost)” she mentioned, “It’s estimated each student could spend between $175 to $2,000 on prom.” 

But then again, spending a lot of money and sharing it with the media reveals how much worth you hold and increases your status. Occasionally, sharing things in the media before an event occurs creates high expectations where people are expected to have the best experience at prom. But there were times when instead of enjoying the experience, some people did not enjoy it as much since the expectations were set too high. 

According to a website titled “The History of Prom,”  prom was “a simple tea dance where high school seniors wore their Sunday best” during the 1900s. Now in modern times as prom season approaches, social media is an important tool for sharing your prom outfit with others so that no one wears the same thing. That way less drama occurs and everyone can look uniquely different. But It seems like we are taking this event too seriously since we don’t want someone else to share the same look.

Oh promposals, we can’t forget about promposals! At least one couple in your high school would make that bold move to ask their significant other out to prom.

 A bouquet of roses in one hand and a box of chocolates in the other. All you can see are giant posters spelled PROM and a boy waiting for her yes as the final answer. Also, don’t forget the mob of people recording on Snapchat. Sydney Gore, the author of  “How Prom Has Changed In The Social Media Age,” brings up a point when she notices that prom is no longer about the experience, or what type of clothing you have on. As promposals become more relevant, they become an opportunity for people to go viral. But doesn't that seem less special? 

Social media has its many benefits but it can also be a distraction that hides away the main purpose of prom. The main reason to attend prom was to have fun with your friends and to enjoy the experience, not to make sure that your presence on social media is the main factor. Putting that into context, it appears that we came to prom because we value social media above anything else. So how about we just forget about showing off to gain popularity and instead focus on making memories and living in the moment.

Works Consulted

Gore, Sydney. “How Prom Has Changed in the Social Media Age.” Nylon, Nylon, 30 May 2017, www.nylon.com/articles/prom-social-media.

The History of Prom, thepromguide.ca/the-history-of-prom/.

Tyler, Melissa Simas. “How Social Media Has Changed the Prom Game (and the Cost).” NBC Boston, NBC10 Boston, 25 Apr. 2019, www.nbcboston.com/news/local/how-social-media-has-influenced-the-prom-2019/96420/.