A Social Media Spending Frenzy
How Digital Impulse Shopping is Stressing People Out
We’ve all been there, just scrolling through social media, getting bombarded with ads for the latest must-have gadgets, clothes, and skin care routines. Some of us might be able to resist to urge to buy, but others are struggling against the temptations.
Enter the “No Buy in 2025” movement, a TikTok trend that’s encouraging people to take a step back from the consumer frenzy to reassess their relationship with digital and social media shopping.
Wait, what?
What exactly is this movement, and should you consider hopping on the bandwagon? The concept is pretty simple: participants commit to not purchasing non-essential items for the entire year. It’s like Dry January, but for shopping. And forever. The idea is to truly reflect on your purchases and ask yourself if you really need them or if you’re just swayed by FOMO, impulse, or a well-crafted Instagram ad.
Social Shopping by the Numbers
TikTok Shop is known for its ease of shopping, as users can make a purchase without even leaving the platform. According to Emarketer, TikTok Shop was the single largest driver of U.S. social commerce sales growth in 2024, while nearly half of TikTok users are expected to make at least one purchase on the platform this year.
In a surprise to no one, people are also buying things on Instagram, Facebook Marketplace, and YouTube. According to a Bankrate survey released in September 2023, Americans spent $71 billion on social media impulse purchases over 12 months, a 175 percent increase since 2021. Unfortunately for consumers, those purchases often ended in feelings of regret.
Guess who’s not experiencing any feelings of regret.
Retailers and brands. They are here for it.
As retailers and brands continue to track your habits, interests, and activity to sell you products that resonate, they are expected to spend nearly $103 billion on advertising on social media in 2025, up 62% from 2021 (according to Emarketer).
Have No Fear, Help is Here
It seems obvious, but there are simple changes consumers can make to help turn off the temptation to shop in social media apps. Some of the suggestions include:
- Turn off the Wallet feature, so you have to make the extra effort to get up and get your credit card in order to complete a purchase
- Unsubscribe from brand emails and texts
- Change social media settings to avoid personalized ads
- Mute ads
The Moral of the Story
At the end of the day, people are willing to spend money, but they’re also looking to save. Which is good news for retailers, assuming they can continue to stay in the relevancy game with effective loyalty and rewards programs. If they can provide enticing options for consumers to get off their FYP, then everybody wins.
Sources: Good Morning America, NY Times