18 August 2023 , 21:39
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A new TikTok challenge for parents has users arguing about the morality of smashing eggs against a child's head, with many parents suggesting it's all in good fun while others say it's borderline child abuse.
The egg crack challenge on TikTok has parents of young children filming their kids during a so-called 'funny' prank. The parent enlists a child's help with making something in the kitchen that requires eggs. As they made the recipe, the parent suddenly smashes the egg open using the child's face and dumps the contents in the bowl.
The children are either left confused and laughing along or freak out and cry hysterically - which their parents find amusing. The hashtag has racked up over 33 million views.
While most of the parents and children look like they're having fun - plenty of users with or without children of their own are offering opinions. One TikToker who is known for "calling out child exploitation on social media" had a few comments on the challenge that have gone viral.
“I’ve been tagged in a few of these videos and I’ve seen it go two ways,” she explains under her username, mom.uncharted. “One, the kid gets the egg on the head, and they’re kind of confused, thrown off, thinks it’s a little funny. Then they move on. Or, they get the egg cracked on the head, and they’re really upset about it, and they freak out.”
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Parents are having fun cracking eggs on their children's heads, but many users are criticizing them (Getty Images)@mom.uncharted continues, “But when I see those videos I think, are we that bored as parents and desperate for content? [Are we] needing something to post on the internet so bad because it is so consuming to be a part of this world—and the dopamine hit, and the likes, and views—that we are now in 2023 cracking eggs on our children’s heads in hopes that they have an entertaining reaction that we can post publicly online to entertain strangers?”
One commented on her video, writing: "It HURTS, why would they do it?" While another user had a more nuanced approach to the situation: "I think everyone’s family dynamic is different. 2 of my kids would love it and talk about it for a week, one of them wouldn’t talk to me for a week."
Yet another user made a statement that was echoed by many: “I hate this trend I don’t get it. And it isn’t safe to post videos of your kids online. Too many sickos.” Hundreds of parents posted similar comments warning each other about the possible dangers of publicly posting a child.
The Mirror has reached out to TikTok for comment.