Social media has become a huge part of our daily lives. From sharing photos to posting our thoughts, it’s changed how we connect with others. But sometimes, the things that get popular online can be pretty weird.
In America, social media trends come and go faster than you can say “viral.” While some are fun and harmless, others leave us scratching our heads. I’ll introduce 20 social media crazes that have swept across the U.S.A. but don’t really make much sense when you think about them.
Eating Tide Pods
People filmed themselves eating laundry detergent pods as a dare. This was super dangerous and led to many hospital visits. It’s hard to understand why anyone thought this was a good idea. The trend thankfully died out, but not before causing real harm.
Planking
This involved lying face down in weird places and taking photos. People did it everywhere- on railings, between trees, even on top of cars. While it seemed harmless, some took big risks to get extreme planking photos. It was popular but pretty pointless.
Ice Bucket Challenge
People dumped ice water on themselves to raise money for ALS research. While it raised awareness, many just did it for fun without donating. It was everywhere for a while, with celebrities joining in, too. But dumping cold water on yourself is an odd way to support a cause.
Kylie Jenner Lip Challenge
Teens used bottles or shot glasses to suction their lips, trying to make them bigger like Kylie Jenner’s. This often led to bruising and even permanent damage. It was a dangerous way to chase an unrealistic beauty standard. Plus, Jenner’s lips were from fillers, not a magic trick.
Mannequin Challenge
Groups of people froze in places like mannequins while someone filmed them. It was fun to watch but took a lot of effort to set up. Some videos were really creative, but others were just boring. It’s weird how standing still became so popular.
Harlem Shake
This dance craze involved one person dancing alone, then suddenly cutting to a wild group dance. It was fun at first but got old fast. Every video followed the same format, which got boring. Plus, it had nothing to do with the actual Harlem Shake dance.
Invisible Box Challenge
People pretended to step over an invisible box. It took some skill but was pretty pointless. Thousands tried it, with most failing badly. It’s strange how we get excited about pretending to step over nothing.
Bird Box Challenge
Inspired by the movie “Bird Box,” people tried doing tasks blindfolded. This led to accidents and injuries. It’s baffling why anyone thought navigating the real world blindfolded was a good idea. The trend was so dangerous that Netflix had to warn people against it.
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In My Feelings Challenge
People jumped out of moving cars to dance to Drake’s song. This was incredibly dangerous and led to injuries and accidents. It’s hard to believe so many risked their safety for a dance trend. The original challenge didn’t even involve cars.
Salt and Ice Challenge
People put salt on their skin, then ice on top, causing a chemical reaction that burns. This trend caused real, lasting damage to people’s skin. It’s hard to believe it caught on, and people actually do it!
Toilet Licking Challenge
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some people licked toilet seats for views. This was disgusting and extremely unhygienic. It’s baffling that anyone would risk their health this way, especially during a global health crisis. The trend rightfully faced a lot of backlash.
Hot Coil Challenge
People purposely burned themselves on stove coils for views. This caused serious burns and scars. It’s hard to understand why anyone would deliberately hurt themselves like this. The trend was short-lived but showed how far some will go for online attention.
Milk Crate Challenge
People tried to climb pyramids made of milk crates. This led to many painful falls and injuries. It’s puzzling why so many risked broken bones for this trend. The challenge was so dangerous that TikTok eventually banned videos of it.
Fake Celebrity Death Announcements
People spread false news about celebrity deaths for likes and shares. This caused real distress to fans and even to the celebrities themselves. It’s cruel and confusing why anyone would think this is okay. The trend highlights the dark side of chasing viral content.
Skull Breaker Challenge
This involved tricking someone into jumping and then kicking their legs out from under them. It caused serious injuries and was basically assault. It’s shocking that hurting others has become a trend. Many schools had to warn students about the dangers.
Outlet Challenge
People partially plugged phone chargers into outlets and dropped coins on the exposed prongs. This caused sparks and electrical damage. It’s baffling why anyone thought playing with electricity was a good idea. The trend was not only dangerous but could cause fires.
Banana Peel Challenge
People deliberately slipped on banana peels like in cartoons. While it might seem funny, it led to real injuries. It’s strange how a cartoon gag became a real-life trend. Many ended up hurting themselves just to recreate something that’s not even realistic.
Flip Bottle Challenge
People tried to flip partially filled water bottles to land upright. While harmless, it became annoyingly common. It’s odd how such a simple and pointless activity became so widespread. The trend took over schools and workplaces, driving many people crazy.
Fire Challenge
People set themselves on fire using flammable liquids. This extremely dangerous trend led to severe burns and hospitalizations. It’s unbelievable that people risked their lives for social media fame.
Cinnamon Challenge
People tried to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon without water. This could cause choking and breathing problems. It was painful to watch and dangerous to attempt. Plus, it leaves a nasty taste on your tongue!
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