10 of the Worst TikTok Trends That Should’ve Never Gone Viral

TikTok is a hub of creativity, laughs, and viral dances—but let’s be real: not everything that trends is worth celebrating. Some TikTok trends are downright dangerous, others are just plain cringe, and a few make you question humanity.

1. The Benadryl Challenge

One of the most dangerous trends to ever circulate TikTok involved teens taking large doses of Benadryl to hallucinate. This “challenge” not only caused hospitalisations but also tragically resulted in at least one death. It’s a chilling reminder that not everything online is worth trying.

2. Devious Licks

This trend encouraged students to steal or vandalise school property—like soap dispensers, mirrors, even toilets—just to flex on TikTok. What started as a “joke” quickly led to arrests and suspensions across the U.S., turning schools into crime scenes for clout.

3. The Blackout Challenge

Another fatal trend involved users choking themselves or holding their breath to achieve a brief high. It sounds absurd, but many young users took part, and several lives were lost as a result. This disturbing trend highlighted the dark side of impressionable youth on the app.

4. Nyquil Chicken

Yes, people actually tried cooking chicken in Nyquil, believing it had some sort of benefit. Not only is this gross and wasteful, but it’s also incredibly unsafe. Heating medicine can release toxic fumes, and eating it can be harmful to your liver and health overall.

5. Mouth Taping for Sleep

Influencers started promoting the idea of taping your mouth shut at night to improve sleep quality. While it might work for some under medical supervision, for most people, it poses a serious risk of suffocation—especially if they have breathing issues.

6. Tooth Filing

Imagine shaving your teeth down with a nail file because you don’t like how they look… that’s exactly what this trend encouraged. Dental professionals were horrified as users irreversibly damaged their teeth trying to DIY their way to a better smile.

7. Dry Scooping Pre-Workout

Another fitness trend gone wrong: dry scooping involves taking pre-workout powder without water. It might seem harmless, but it can lead to heart issues, especially if you already have undiagnosed heart conditions. All for a few likes? Not worth it.

8. Chaotic Public Pranks

From throwing objects at strangers to pretending to commit crimes for shock value, many TikTokers have taken pranks too far. While some might think it’s funny, these stunts often lead to real-world consequences, including police involvement and public backlash.

9. Fake Mental Health Diagnoses

TikTok has seen a rise in people self-diagnosing conditions like ADHD, DID, and Tourette’s after watching a few videos. Mental health awareness is important, but spreading misinformation and glamorizing disorders does more harm than good.

10. Clout Chasing Stunts

From faking serious injuries to pretending to be homeless or pregnant, people will do almost anything for attention. These trends often exploit real issues and communities, crossing the line from creativity into insensitivity.

TikTok is an incredible platform with the power to inspire, entertain, and educate—but when bad ideas go viral, they can have serious real-world consequences. It’s important to approach every trend with a bit of skepticism, some common sense, and a lot of self-respect.

Not every trend is worth trying—and not every video is worth the views.