In a 2019 poll, 66% of teens and young adults said they're either very likely or somewhat likely to share memes someone else created when they're online. Interestingly, many are meme-makers themselves. 20% said they're very likely to share their own memes on social media, and 25% would be somewhat likely.
If there's one thing a meme definitely needs to be, it's funny. That's the main criterion for most people. What researchers find is that folks are getting fed up with political meme content. Even in 2020, the Pew Research Center found that more than half of Americans were "worn out" by political posts and discussions.
And if the most viral memes of 2024 are any indication, Gen Z wants to keep politics and memes apart. Except maybe for the Kamala Coconut meme, which made the list of 2024's most popular memes. Folks are much more into self-deprecating humor, dolphin scenery soundtracked with a cheerful song, or Pepe the King Prawn.
So far in 2025, the crown for the most popular meme goes to the Pepe the King Prawn. People use the template to share some of the wildest stories they ever experienced in a series of slides. Whether it's the subway story, or the olive oil story, when you scroll to the face of Pepe, you're probably in for a good one.
