Kids Are Doing The "Flip The Camera" Trend & It's Really Mean-Spirited

"Here's how it works: a person or group of people give their phone to someone else (a friend, teacher, or stranger) and ask them to record a viral dance, with the screen facing outward. The person then does a dance - usually something that pantomimes someone swimming - and subtly changes the camera mode so that it's recording the person recording, not the dance. They then post the video on social media, which usually shows someone unwittingly filming and possibly looking embarrassing."

"It may seem like an innocent prank. But the results are really mean-spirited and can even be seen as bullying. First, the kids engaging in the trend often pick people who they don't think are attractive to trick (both adults and kids), so there are bullying intentions from the outset. Kids who are unpopular, kids who might not be seen as fitting in, teachers, even homeless people have been targeted."

"The "flip the camera" challenge also often involves larger groups targeting one person; people really ganging up on someone who is just doing a favor for other people. Responses from people who have been targeted by the prank show just how hurtful it can be; it's no different than making fun of someone's appearance to their face. In response to the rising popularity of the trend, parents and teachers are posting about the challenge on TikTok to spread"

The Flip the Camera TikTok challenge involves handing a phone to someone to record a viral dance while secretly switching the camera to record the person filming. Videos typically capture the unwitting person appearing awkward or embarrassed and are then posted online for others to laugh at. Participants often choose targets they consider unattractive or unpopular, including teachers and homeless people, revealing bullying intentions. Larger groups sometimes gang up on a single person who is simply doing a favor. Targets report feeling humiliated, and parents and teachers are posting warnings on TikTok to discourage the trend.

Read at Scary Mommy