Nov. 12, 2025, 1:07 p.m. ET
A TikTok trend among young people has left some social media users saddened and in tears, as they say the videos are a form of cruel bullying.
The social media videos are part of a “flip camera trend” where a group of people, usually teenagers dancing, ask classmates or strangers in public places to record them dancing.
The dancers ask the unsuspecting strangers to hold their phones backward so they can record their routines. Suddenly, one of them runs up and presses a button to flip the camera, which then begins to record the strangers. They then share the videos online for all to see, with the stranger looking completely unaware of what’s transpiring.
“That’s disgusting,” shared TikTok user hhyy1037. “Nine times out of 10, that person looks like the sweetest, kindest, most innocent human being. You can tell they were just trying to be nice, probably quiet, probably introverted, maybe not even part of that friend group for real.”
The user added that once the videos are shared online, commenters make fun of the strangers, including calling them names, all without them knowing they’ve been posted or consenting to it.
“Y’all are turning kindness into content, and that’s sad,” she said. “That person agreed to hold the camera to be kind, not to get bullied online.”
Flip camera trend brings some TikToker users to tears
As the flip camera trend has gained popularity, some social media users have criticized those who partake.
One user, its.jusninii, shared a video of herself crying with the caption: “Me after seeing the flipping camera trend and realizing how cruel you little kids are.”
The post started a conversation about how mean some believe the trend to be. Some users said they reported the videos, while others lamented the thought that some of those pranked were so jovial and appeared happy to be included and support the dancers.
Other users said they suspect that those pranked felt something was amiss.
“This one broke my heart man,” user eno_181 shared with a screenshot of a student who had been pranked. “U can tell by the way he was looking they pick on him & he knew something was finna happen.”
Flip camera TikTok trend is ‘bullying,’ social media users say
Among those who have commented on the flip camera trend, some questioned the “flip camera trend” name, saying it isn’t accurate.
“It’s called bullying,” wrote one user under a TikTok post criticizing the trend.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines bullying as a form of youth violence. It is any unwanted aggressive behavior by another youth or group of youths that involves a power imbalance, and the bullying is likely to be repeated.
Bullying can be physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, and tripping, as well as name-calling and teasing, spreading rumors, leaving others out of the group, and damaging victims’ property, according to the CDC.
When bullying happens online, such as on TikTok, the act is called cyberbullying, the CDC said. The agency added that cyberbullying reports among public school students are highest for middle schoolers (33%), high schoolers (30%), combined school students (20%), and primary schoolers (5%).
According to the CDC, female students are often more likely than male students to experience bullying, both at school and online.
How are cyberbullies held accountable in schools?
StopBullying.org provides information from the federal government on bullying and says states have laws requiring schools to respond to reports of bullying. Some states have also updated their guidelines to include cyberbullying.
Alabama has the Jamari Terrell Williams Student Bullying Prevention Act, which was named after a 5th grader who died by suicide on Oct. 11, 2017, due to bullying. The act requires the Board of Education to take steps to ensure bullying is not tolerated in schools, and in 2018, cyberbullying was added to the state’s definition of harassment.
According to StopBullying.org, children don’t always show signs that they are being bullied, but some things parents can look out for include:
- Unexplained injuries
- Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
- Frequent headaches or stomachaches, feeling sick, or faking illness
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY’s NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.
