'Flip the Camera' Facing challenge (Source: X)
A new TikTok trend has gone viral, but instead of bringing excitement, it has sparked anger and disappointment among users. The trend, known as the “Flip the Camera” challenge, started appearing in late October and has quickly become one of the most argued formats on the platform. Many TikTok users say the idea crosses boundaries and causes unnecessary humiliation.
The concept is simple: a group gives their phone to someone standing nearby and asks them to record their dance. While performing, the group uses the front camera so they can see themselves. Then, at the end of the clip, they suddenly run toward the phone and flip the camera around, revealing the face of the person recording.
Although the transition looks harmless, it often makes the person holding the phone the unexpected target of the joke. In several cases, the camera ends up showing less popular classmates, unhoused individuals, older strangers, or unsuspecting passersby. Because the “reveal” becomes the punchline, many feel the trend encourages public embarrassment for entertainment.
Some Instagram user like @coquettesvanilla, who has more than 41,400 followers, criticized the trend, saying it has “turned into straight up bullying.” The creator explained that such videos leave people “insecure” or feeling “not good enough,” adding that “Bullying isn’t always loud… if someone gets hurt, then it wasn’t fun to begin with.”
Some well-known TikTok personalities have spoken up as well. Popular creator @Tinx, who has 1.5 million followers, said the challenge goes beyond simple meanness. In her video, she called it “straight up cruelty” and added that she would “ground” her children if they ever took part in such a trend.
The “Flip the Camera” trend is only a few weeks old, but the criticism against it is growing faster than the number of new videos being made. Most viewers and commentators agree on one point — the trend works only when someone else is embarrassed, which makes it feel like public shaming rather than harmless humor.
As of now, it is unclear whether TikTok will step in or the trend will simply fade away on its own. However, the online discussion has moved beyond funny videos and is now raising questions about how quickly social media trends can turn into tools for hurting someone’s feelings.
