I've had this idea for a while that is based both on anecdote and logical connections to the known effects of porn addiction. Essentially it is that transgender rates have skyrocketed not because that many people were just trans before but could only admit it now, but because people are being programmed by our pornographic society to want to embody their fantasies, they see social utility or mobility in becoming a woman or a man, and because they are being collectively groomed to think that any depressive episodes (which are widespread considering industrialized societies have produced the highest suicide and depression rates in history by many magnitudes) is probably because they have gender dysphoria.
I have a friend who I knew my whole life and when he/she was 18, they told me they were trans. We were both incredibly helpless and depraved porn addicts. Its not until I recovered from my porn addiction about a year ago that I realized just how much porn was warping and poisoning my mind. I was into all kinds of disgusting kinks and fetishes when I was addicted that I have no interest in now and find very repulsive. I also thought I was a 'femboy' or even potentially could see myself as trans, but I am now very proud and grateful for the beautiful gift that is masculinity.