TikTok challenges are trends that go viral on the social media platform TikTok, where users create and share videos of themselves taking part in challenges. These challenges often involve performing stunts, dancing to specific songs, taking part in ill-advised and dangerous acts, or participating in other viral trends. TikTok challenges can spread rapidly as more users see the videos and decide to create their own versions.
How do TikTok challenges go viral?
There are a few key factors that contribute to a TikTok challenge going viral:
- Catchy or popular music – Challenges that utilize music that is currently trending or has a hook/beat that is easy to dance to tend to take off more than challenges with unknown music.
- Simplicity – Challenges that are relatively simple for users to recreate tend to become more popular. Very complex or difficult challenges tend to not spread as widely.
- Humor – Challenges that are funny or silly often go viral as people enjoy recreating the humorous situations.
- Creativity – Challenges that encourage creativity and artistry in the videos can gain traction.
- Risk/thrill factor – Dangerous or risky challenges tend to gain views, though this also often leads to increased criticism and calls to stop the challenge.
Once a challenge starts gaining some traction, the TikTok algorithm begins promoting it which leads it to go viral. Influencers or celebrities taking part in a challenge can also help it blow up rapidly. Trending hashtags are another way challenges gain visibility and spread across the platform.
What are some popular TikTok challenges?
Here are some of the most popular challenges that have gone viral on TikTok (in no particular order):
Dance challenges
- Renegade – Users dance to the song “Lottery” by K Camp.
- M to the B – Dance challenge set to the song “M to the B” by Millie B.
- Savage – Dance challenge for Megan Thee Stallion’s song “Savage.”
- Blinding Lights – Dance challenge using The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights.”
- Out West – Dance routine for the song “Out West” by Travis Scott featuring Young Thug.
Comedy/fun challenges
- Flip the Switch – Users swap clothes while Drake’s song “Nonstop” plays.
- Git Up Challenge – Cowboys dance and show off their skills to the song “Git Up” by Blanco Brown.
- Trick Shot challenges – Users attempt impressive or unbelievable trick shots and skills.
- Wipe It Down – Users wipe down mirrors and transition to different outfits.
- Time Warp Scanner – Users pass their body through a “scanner” jumpcut.
Dangerous challenges
- Skullbreaker Challenge – Two people kick the legs out from under a third person jumping in the air.
- Penny Challenge – Plugging phone chargers partway into wall outlets and sliding a penny down to create sparks.
- Fire Challenge – Pouring flammable liquid on your body, then lighting yourself on fire.
- Milk Crate Challenge – Climbing pyramids made of stacked milk crates.
Food challenges
- Milk Crate Challenge – Users stack milk crates in a pyramid shape and attempt to climb them.
- Fruit Snack Challenge – Trying to eat a gigantic mouthful of fruit snacks.
- Corn Cob Challenge – Eating corn cobs hands-free, without using your hands.
- Watermelon Challenge – Users carve holes in watermelons and try to eat the entire thing.
Other viral challenges
- Mannequin Challenge – Users freeze in action like mannequins while music plays.
- In My Feelings Challenge – Jumping out of moving cars and dancing to Drake’s “In My Feelings.”
- Planking Challenge – Lying flat like a plank in unusual locations.
- Ice Bucket Challenge – Pouring buckets of ice water over your head to raise ALS awareness.
- Tourist Walk Challenge – Walking backwards and making a specific facial expression.
Why are challenges so popular on TikTok?
There are several reasons why challenges catch on so quickly and become hugely popular on TikTok:
- TikTok’s algorithm – The “For You” page algorithm picks up on trends and promotes viral challenges rapidly.
- Peer pressure – There can be social pressure to participate in popular challenges.
- Entertainment – Challenges are fun for users to make and watch.
- Vanity – Going viral and gaining likes/followers is a major motivation.
- Boredom – Challenges give people something entertaining to do.
- Creativity – Many challenges allow for creativity in making unique videos.
- Music discovery – Dances to trendy songs help boost music visibility.
The interactive nature of TikTok makes it the perfect platform for challenges to spread. Users can easily replicate challenges they see, while adding their own spin. TikTok’s tools like duets also facilitate collaboration and engagement with viral content.
Why can TikTok challenges be dangerous?
While many TikTok challenges are harmless and fun dances or jokes, some challenges take a dangerous turn and prompt safety concerns. Reasons why some TikTok challenges can be dangerous include:
- Risks for views – Dangerous challenges get more engagement, which motivates participation.
- Peer pressure – The fear of missing out leads some users to take risks.
- Lack of judgment – Younger users may not assess the full risks before participating.
- One-upmanship – Users take bigger risks to top each other’s videos.
- Misinformation – Harmful challenges spreading misinformation or false dangers.
Dangerous challenges on TikTok have resulted in injuries, arrests, death, and other real-world consequences. While TikTok does work to remove hazardous challenges, new risky trends are constantly emerging.
Examples of dangerous TikTok challenges
Some of the most concerning and dangerous challenges that have gone viral on TikTok include:
- Blackout Challenge – People choking themselves until passing out.
- Fire Challenge – Dousing yourself in flammable liquid and setting yourself on fire.
- Penny Challenge – Running risks of electrocution and fire.
- Skullbreaker Challenge – Causing friends to fall and hit their heads.
- Coronavirus Challenge – Licking random objects to spread germs.
- Benadryl Challenge – Overdosing on allergy medication for hallucinogenic effects.
Authorities have issued warnings about these challenges. TikTok has worked to ban hashtags and redirect searches to discourage participation. But new dangerous challenges continue to emerge regularly.
How can dangerous challenges be prevented?
There are a few ways dangerous TikTok challenges can potentially be better prevented:
- Increased content moderation – TikTok aggressively removing dangerous challenges when they emerge.
- Algorithm changes – Preventing risky challenges from going viral on users’ feeds.
- Warning messages – Alerting users to the potential harms.
- Education – Teaching internet safety and consequences.
- Parental controls – Allowing parents to limit access and block hazardous content.
- Legal consequences – Arrests and lawsuits to disincentivize life-threatening challenges.
Users also need to exercise caution, common sense, and concern for their own safety when deciding whether to participate in viral challenges. Avoiding peer pressure and speaking up when you see friends attempting dangerous trends is important.
The positives of TikTok challenges
While risky TikTok challenges rightfully raise concerns, it’s important to note that not all challenges on the platform are bad. Many viral challenges on TikTok actually have positive effects like:
- Promoting creativity and talent
- Providing lighthearted fun
- Boosting songs/musicians
- Encouraging self-expression
- Inspiring charity and activism
- Spreading positive messages
When used responsibly, TikTok can be an amazing platform for creative challenges that entertain and bring joy. The app has tools to nurture talent and can launch meme songs into the mainstream. Fun, wholesome challenges also frequently trend on the platform.
Notable examples of positive TikTok challenges
Some of the most popular positive challenges on TikTok include:
- Don’t Rush Challenge – Friends/family transforming appearances in sync with music.
- Wipe It Down Challenge – Playfully cleaning mirrors and transitioning looks.
- Git Up Challenge – Line dancing to Blanco Brown’s “Git Up.”
- Savage Challenge – Fun dance routine to Megan Thee Stallion.
- Random Acts of Kindness Challenge – People doing good deeds on camera.
- I Stay Home For Challenge – Reasons people social distanced during COVID-19.
Challenges raising money for charity, supporting social causes, highlighting talent, or simply making people smile demonstrate the good TikTok is capable of when communities come together to uplift one another.
Conclusion
TikTok challenges clearly run the gamut from harmless fun to extremely hazardous trends. While dangerous challenges rightfully necessitate safety measures, many challenges on the platform foster creativity, community, and positivity. With proper safeguards and education, TikTok has immense potential for bringing joy into people’s lives through viral challenges.
| Challenge name | Description | Potential risks |
|---|---|---|
| Skullbreaker Challenge | Tricking someone into jumping while kicking their legs out | Head/neck injury from falling |
| Coronavirus Challenge | Licking random objects to ‘spread’ germs | Actual disease spread |
| Milk Crate Challenge | Climbing towers of stacked milk crates | Falls, injuries |
