To "pamer" (show off) a better lifestyle, you need visible symbols.

“Better lifestyle” posts align with what Belk (2013) calls “extended self in the digital age”—possessions and experiences become part of identity. For teens with limited income, displaying borrowed or aspirational luxury (e.g., a friend’s car, a one-time café visit) creates a paradox of “performative affluence.” Entertainment venues (ESports arenas, premium cinemas, themed cafes) become stage props.

While the trend is exciting, there is a fine line between inspiration and arrogance.

The Backfire Effect: Overdoing the "better lifestyle" narrative can lead to social isolation. If every photo screams "I am richer and cooler than you," classmates may start to resent you.

Reality Check: Remember that most photos are curated. That photo at a 5-star hotel? Maybe it was just for a relative's wedding. That designer bag? Possibly a rental or a replica.

Healthy Advice: Use this trend to motivate your future, not to crush your present. A truly "ganteng" cowok (handsome guy) is confident without making others feel small.

A purposive sample of 150 public posts (Instagram feed/reels, TikTok videos, Snapchat stories) was collected from April–June 2024. Inclusion criteria: