game, all right—I'll admit that. But if you get on the other side, where there aren't any hot-shots, then what's a game about it? Nothing. No game. (Ch. 2)

2. The second scene is Holden's date with Sally, a scene that reveals the darkness of Holden's state of mind.

Holden is unrealistic in his expectations with Sally. When they go out, Holden thinks "she looked terrific"; however, he is repelled by her as she joins the "phonies" in the lobby. Then he narrates,

I sort of hated old Sally by the time we got in the cab, after listening to that phony Andover bastard for about ten hours. (Ch. 17)

Later, he asks Sally to run away with him and get married. Holden's desperate need for love is in sharp contrast here with Holden's inability to deal with all the complexities of the real world, much as in his encounter with the nuns in Chapter 15, in which his behavior is also inappropriate.

3. The third scene is Holden's visit to Phoebe.

After having lost his brother, Holden cherishes his little sister Phoebe, who shares the intelligence of their dead brother. Phoebe loves Holden, too, and gives him a feeling of security as she sees past his idiosyncrasies.

Holden comes to visit Phoebe as he feels her innocence will refresh him. He tells Phoebe that he wants to be the "catcher in the rye" and catch children if they run too close to the edge of a cliff. This wish is an expression of trying to stop time for Phoebe and keep all children innocent. "...That's the only thing I'd really like to be" (Ch. 22).

Instead of specifically listing current events, it would be best to discuss how the themes and central topics of the novel are relevant in today's society. Holden Caulfield is a highly sensitive, jaded adolescent, who immediately takes notice of people's insincerity and refers to them as "phony." Social media is prevalent and extremely popular in today's society and is a medium where individuals can portray their best attributes and essentially control their public image. Thousands, if not millions, of Americans each day posts pictures of themselves to bolster their public image and depict themselves in a positive light. Many users of social media portray themselves with a constant smile on their face or post pictures of themselves that make it seem like they are always having fun, which is not an accurate depiction of their life. Holden would view these people as "phony" because they are not presenting themselves authentically; they are simply appearing to be confident, happy, and carefree at all times so that others will envy them, which would absolutely disgust Holden Caulfield if he were alive today.

The themes of death and mental health, which are explored throughout the novel, are also relevant in today's society. After experiencing the tragic death of his younger brother Allie, who died of leukemia, and witnessing James Castle's dead body on the sidewalk outside his dorm, Holden suffers from numerous mental health issues. Today's youth continue to struggle in the area of mental health as adolescents across the United States suffer from losing a loved one, alienation, anxiety, and depression. Many teenagers in today's society can relate to Holden's mental health issues and can connect on a personal level with his character's difficulties in the novel.

I think the best way to answer this question is to focus on themes of "The Catcher in Rye."  

One theme from the novel is alienation.  Specifically alienation of a youth, but alienation could apply to anybody.  I believe that alienation is just as present in today's culture as it was when Salinger wrote the book.  As a teacher, I see alienation from week to week.  It's unfortunate, but it is true.  Not everybody feels like they fit in all of the time.  I have no solution for it.  I can't even place a cause for it in all situations.  

Another theme of the book is phoniness.  Holden can't stand it.  I mean, he really can't stand phonies.  

"One of the biggest reasons I left Elkton Hills was because I was surrounded by phonies. That's all. They were coming in the goddamn window."

If that's how Holden felt about it in 1950, I can't imagine what he would have to say about it now.  Phoniness is practically encouraged today with online avatars and personas.  Social media seems to always give the impression that everything is awesome all of the time.  It's a false image of reality more often than not because it's only reflecting certain things.  Holden would see right through it, and it would make him unbelievably upset.  

One more.  Relationships and sexuality.  Over the course of Holden's weekend, it is clear to the reader that Holden is searching for some kind of relationship.  Not necessarily sexual, although that is addressed too.  But the phone booth scene points at his desire to connect with someone.  He just can't figure out exactly how to do that though, so he keeps convincing himself to not call.  He's searching for some kind of personal contact with people, and he just can't find it.  This ties in with isolation, but I do believe that finding emotional and physical intimacy with someone is a huge motif in today's society.  If you don't believe me, watch an episode of "The Bachelor." 

PROSTITUTION.  Holden is so depressed in Chapter 13 that he accepts an invitation from the hotel elevator operator for a visit from a prostitute. He tells her that he only wants to talk, but she becomes bored and demands more money. It is difficult to determine if Holden refuses the opportunity for sex because he is afraid, or if he is honoring his earlier belief that sex should be with a loving companion. Holden does not demean Sunny, the prostitute, as one might expect. Although he is uncomfortable in her presence, he seems to enjoy her company. 

HOMOSEXUALITY.  When Holden accepts an invitation from his old teacher to spend the night, he awakes to find the teacher patting his head. Holden takes this as a homosexual advance, and he immediately hits the streets in the middle of the night. After reconsidering, he cannot decide whether he is mistaken about the teacher's intentions or not.

YOUTHFUL REBELLION.  It is long before the time of Vietnam protests, but Holden finds a reason to rebel against nearly everything. His inability to accept the era's social role models is particularly troubling.