Returning to school once meant polished shoes, a heavy bag filled with fresh books, and the thrill of reuniting with classmates post-holidays. A quick photo at home by parents was all it took, storing those moments in family albums or diaries.
Nowadays, the first school day is a social media spectacle. Kids aren’t just prepping for classes; they’re planning content. Instagram reels, TikTok videos, and Snapchat stories are now as essential as notebooks and uniforms.
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‘Reel Planning’
Amna, a 12-year-old in Al Twar, excitedly shares her return to school in Dubai. “I can’t wait to see my friends and teachers. I’ve already planned my reel, showcasing my new sneakers, bag, and a clip of me entering the school gates,” Amna said.
Her mother chuckled, noting the family has become a part of the production team. “Last year it was just a few photos outside the building. Now, she has a mental storyboard for filming, even planning her wave and entrance,” Amna’s mother explained.
For Omar, a 14-year-old from Oud Metha, the thrill is in his new backpack, water bottle, and uniform, which fits perfectly. “My backpack has a power bank slot. I can’t wait to show it on my Instagram story,” he said.
Over the holidays, Omar shared vacation photos from his hometown. “Now, my first post will be my back-to-school look. It’s like a fresh start, and my friends are doing the same,” Omar added.
He mentioned discussions with classmates on WhatsApp. “We’re all posting our first-day uniforms. One friend plans a slow-motion reel entering the classroom,” Omar noted.
Parents as Cameramen
Parents are also joining in. Fahad Kazi, a Deira resident and father of two, shared he’s been scheduled by his daughter for the first day. “She said, ‘Dad, drive me to school Tuesday. You’ll film me in the car, then me waving and entering the campus.’ She’s even practiced opening the door and putting her bag on her shoulder,” he recounted.
For Fahad, this contrasts sharply with his own childhood. “At their age, we didn’t even have a camera. School’s first day was sweaty palms in assembly. Now, it’s about likes and comments,” he said.
Parents often reminisce about school life from a generation ago. Twenty years back, the first school day brought butterflies, book covers, and simple homemade lunches. Some schools welcomed students with handwritten notes or introductions in class.
Today, kids return from a summer of vacation photos, quickly following up with first-day reels. From new gadgets to fresh hairstyles or sneakers, back to school is about making the social media feed, not just the classroom.
Parents find it a balancing act. “Filming my daughter’s reel is fine; it makes her happy and is harmless. But I remind her to focus on studies and friendships, not just the camera,” Fahad said.
Some parents find the trend amusing. “For me, a clean uniform and shiny shoes marked the first school day,” said Amna’s mother. “Now, my daughter worries about her eyeliner smudging before a selfie.”
“For us, the first bell began the school year. For our kids, it’s the start of a new Instagram and TikTok feed,” added Amna’s mother.
