The Casual Cruelty of Flipping the Camera On TikTok

The latest viral flipping the camera TikTok trend has the Internet pointing fingers. Influencers are calling out the trend's mean-spirited nature.

Even the trend has become a trend on its own merit, even though it's highly condemned. Why? Because flipping the camera on unassuming people recording their dance videos is a new form of bullying.

It may seem innocuous but it triggered an intense discourse about why this trend has created a sudden push back.

The flip the camera clips trend began popping up at the end of October. It's primarily popular among teenagers.

Is Double Tapping Destructive?

Several of the most-liked videos are shot in school gathering spots like hallways,cafeterias or other common areas.

At the beginning the flip the camera TikToks would feature a group of kids enthusiastically performing the popular scuba dance. Then a few seconds later someone would double-tap the screen to flip the camera.

When someone flips the camera unexpectedly it catches the unfortunate cameraperson in a very unflattering position. It's how most people are when their cameras are flipped on them without warning.

Indirect Bullying?

The sole intention of these videos is to mock a person who has generously agreed to record the wider group’s fun.

What’s implied is that the person holding the camera is someone who’s regularly excluded.

For whatever reason they weren't deemed worthy enough to dance with the rest of the batch. Instead, they were forced to hide behind the camera filming for the group.

The entire trend relies on the cruel joke that the person holding the phone might not look 100% camera-ready when they’ve been unwillingly and unexpectedly made the focus of the entire clip.

Sorry Not Sorry

For a few weeks, the camera flipping videos became extremely popular without any notice.

But lately, users are engaging with them more critically.

The Flipping the Camera search results right now are trending. You’ll find more videos from people thoughtfully studying the trend instead of willfully participating.

One Tikkor said "It is one of the meanest video formats that I've seen on this app."

The influencers also shared these these videos, "It’s straight up bullying.”

Now there is a push to take down Flip The Camera videos. Those people pushingto remove them also point to meanness or bullying.

Tne Entire Internet Is Invited To Join In

Even worse is the fact that most of the camera people who get exposed without warning didn't agree to participate.

Victims have shared that they feel a mixture of embarrassment, hope and disappointment that nobody apologizes for doing. Even worse, the camera person is being ridiculed and bullied for clicks.

There doesn't seem to be any repercussions for the actions of the TikTokers and bullies. It's shocking how easy it is to humiliate someone just to get views.