Recently, a series of absurd trends, some even dangerous for the participants, have continuously emerged on TikTok. Examples include filming clips at the airport despite regulations, posing on baggage carousels as if achieving a milestone, or trying to shop with just 5,000 VND to see the reactions of vendors,…
Gen Z – the group spending the most time on this social network – has reacted. Most have strongly opposed these trends, with some declaring they will block such content, while others choose to ignore it, allowing low-quality content to “sink” on its own.
Alongside Gen Z, we also reached out to several well-known TikTokers who are active on this platform and are recognized for their quality and positive content, to hear their thoughts on these “spoilers” of the TikTok community.
“Backpacker” Rufino Aybar: Creating “dirty” views will harm oneself
Rufino Aybar (born 1998) – the owner of the eponymous TikTok channel with 2.9 million followers – stated that these trends currently do not directly affect him, but they are nonetheless somewhat uncomfortable to watch. He disagrees with such actions, regardless of whether it’s for views or just for humor:
“In reality, this issue does not directly affect my life, but watching such videos does make me somewhat uncomfortable.
I have never agreed with disregarding the pursuit of views. Those views are not ‘clean’ views; they do not benefit me at all and may even harm me when they catch the eye of the viewers. If those who carry out those actions are not trying to get views but simply find it funny, then they should reconsider their sense of humor. Because fun should be appropriate for the situation; if it affects public facilities and those around, then it is no longer fun.
There have always been people like this everywhere, but I hope those who follow those trends will realize they are wrong, and importantly, learn from the experience for next time. No one is perfect; as long as you breathe, you can improve, everyone!”.
“Neighborhood Aunt” Pham Vinh: Updating trends must be selective
Agreeing with Rufino Aybar is “Neighborhood Aunt” Pham Vinh (born 1999). Additionally, this TikToker with 2.8 million followers hopes that everyone will be selective about which trends to follow.
“When updating trends, you should know how to filter which ones to follow and which ones not to. For example, the airport clip is very dangerous. For myself, such trends do not have a significant impact. I think once the community condemns and strongly opposes them, they will eventually be eliminated. However, it is concerning if someone without full awareness follows such trends.
Many things that seem harmless can be very wrong and pose dangers to themselves and others. Furthermore, there are many young TikTok users; I am most worried that they might follow suit”.
Kitchen of Childhood: Viewers are very smart; they will immediately condemn if one stubbornly does wrong
Chan Nam (born 1998) – the owner of the Kitchen of Childhood channel with nearly 905k followers believes that these trends mainly aim to get views. However, viewers are now very smart; they know how to filter and evaluate, so harmful content will struggle to survive for long:
“I think those who do this mainly disregard rules to get views; I just don’t know if they intentionally or unknowingly ignore the regulations of places like airports. Because this action not only endangers themselves but also affects many others.
On the viewer’s side, viewers are now very intelligent; they know how to filter and evaluate content. They will condemn and criticize harmful content immediately, while genuine and healthy content still has a place and is highly appreciated”.
Chan Nam also shares the same concern as Pham Vinh about young users potentially imitating and causing unfortunate consequences: “As a TikToker, I think content creators should build a beautiful and healthy image for themselves, which will definitely secure them a certain place in the hearts of viewers, without needing to chase likes. Because with these clips, a significant portion of viewers are children. They do not think deeply, and when they see harmful clips, they are more likely to imitate and could lead to unfortunate consequences”.
Tran Duy – Nghệ Nhân Duy channel: What is easy to do can also be easily lost
Tran Duy (born 1997) – the owner of the Nghệ Nhân Duy channel with 312k followers shared that he feels embarrassed for those filming the clips. “In the beginning, those clips may be made out of ignorance or unawareness of their negative impacts. But later, when those clips go viral and are criticized yet they still follow, then they are surely doing it on purpose. Of course, that is their choice, but I find it really ridiculous, especially the clip of sitting on the baggage carousel. I am embarrassed for those who made those clips, but perhaps they do not feel that way” – Duy shared.
Regarding the negative impact of pointless trends, Duy added that silly trends can lead viewers to generalize and form a negative perception of TikTokers in general. He stated:
“I don’t think harmful content will affect those who create healthy content. If healthy content is not watched, it is because that content is not appealing enough, not because silly trends dominate the scene. However, it is possible that harmful content trending too much can lead viewers to have a negative perception of TikTok and TikTokers. They might generalize it as a platform filled with dirty content or think TikTokers are just a group of people who are constantly making silly antics and worthless content”.
“Harmful content is easy to create, easy to trend, while healthy content requires more brainpower, investment, and time, and may trend slowly but once it has a community, it is very sustainable. What is too easy to make and too easy to gain will also leave easily. Therefore, everyone should consider a bit before following any trend on TikTok. If people only remember you for a clip where you followed a silly, pointless trend, that would be quite disappointing” – Duy added.
How to Limit Absurd Trends While Scrolling Through TikTok
Previously, in a post about harmful content on TikTok back in April 2022, Duy Muoi – founder of the DCGR group and a TikTok idol, a figure likened to a “boss” in the TikToker community, also shared his views on this issue.
Duy Muoi
Regarding how to limit such content, Duy Muoi shared: “Currently, the video recommendation mechanisms on all platforms are very intelligent, and TikTok is no exception. For a topic, if you often skip it, TikTok will limit or no longer show it to you.
However, for users who are children, who may not be aware of the inappropriate or harmful nature of the videos, more care and caution are needed. Such inappropriate content often lies in hashtags and music links; they are not recommended to trend, so parents should pay attention to set time limits for their children under their control”.