From phones to computers, overconsumption online and nationwide has increased in 2025. Because of new technology, more and more online shopping has appeared along with trending merchandise.

Since online shopping continues to grow/has grown in popularity, people have been buying more and more things online such as clothes, or even groceries. According to Tidio, a live-chat program that helps businesses, 70% of Americans are shopping online. In 2022 alone, there were a total of 268 million digital buyers in the United States and by 2025, this number will likely reach 285 million.

The increased rate of online shopping in popularity has also started  brand trends, like Labubus and Stanley cups. On the topic, drawing and AP art teacher, Amber Cardinale, talked about overconsumption in her class.

“I think that I don’t consume to the same extent that most people do, although I’m aware that as a culture in general, we are all overconsuming,” Cardinale said. “We’re encouraged to overconsume all the time.” 

People are being driven to buy what they want, but not need, parents and children included. Although it brings them entertainment or a sense of gratitude, they would not need use of it possibly in the near future. According to Forbes, Pop Mart sales on StockX are up 748% in the first half of 2025. StockX saw 2.4 million searches for Labubu in the first six months of this year, making it one of the site’s 10 most-popular search terms.

 “I do think it’s a really big problem because I think it’s really bad for the planet,” Cardinale said. “I think that it gives people this false sense of security, or this false sense of self that’s based around objects.”

Some people, however, have realized the trend of their overconsumption and have started “no buy” days and even years of not buying what they think is a necessity, according to MSN. 

“I think that we’re always encouraged to overconsume in every aspect of life,” Cardinale said.