A recent TikTok phenomenon is generating significant disapproval. This trend is frequently highlighted by the negative reactions it elicits rather than its actual premise. It features a collective, typically children, passing their phone to another individual to capture a dance. They utilize the front-facing camera for visibility, and at the conclusion, they turn the camera around to showcase the person filming. As reported by Know Your Meme, this trend initiated in late October with a video from TikTok creator @jaycrudddy, which amassed 1.3 million views.
While it might appear innocuous, many online are deeming it bullying since the person recording is often someone the dancers intend to ridicule, like a less popular peer, a homeless individual, or an elderly person. The humor frequently comes at the expense of the one recording. Instagram user @coquettesvanilla, who has over 41,400 followers, condemned the trend as “straight up bullying,” emphasizing that it can lead individuals to feel insecure and insufficient.
“We shouldn’t be creating an entire trend based on putting someone down,” @coquettesvanilla expressed. “Bullying isn’t always loud or evident; sometimes it disguises itself as ‘just for fun.’ But if someone is hurt, then it was never really fun. We have the power to be better. We can opt not to contribute to negativity or instill shame in others. Social media doesn’t have to be a venue for ridicule; it can be a space where we genuinely respect one another.”
Other users echo this sentiment. TikTok user @hhyy1037, with 14,400 followers, described the trend as “disgusting,” pointing out that the recorder often comes off as a kind, innocent individual merely trying to be nice. Even @Tinx, a creator boasting 1.5 million followers, criticized the trend in a video, denouncing it as bullying. “I’m not a mom, but if I discovered my kids were doing that, I would ground them forever. I’m serious; I believe that is one of the meanest—it’s not merely mean, it’s cruel,” Tinx remarked. “It’s outright cruelty. It’s so mean-spirited.”