Social media trends are plentiful, fast-moving, and, in many cases, downright cringeworthy.
Still, even though we know some of them are silly, immature, or even downright dangerous at times, a lot of us are guilty of trying them ourselves at least once. In hindsight, it’s clear what a bad idea these were — or simply how pointless! — but at the time, you probably didn’t want to be left out. Don’t worry, we all do dumb things sometimes — try not to be too hard on yourself about it.
1. The “planking” craze.
At some point, lying face down in random places became the internet’s favourite pastime. People planked on desks, cars, and even public statues, all for the sake of a photo. While it seemed funny at the time, the trend quickly spiralled into dangerous territory, with some people risking injury just to one-up others. Looking back, it’s hard to understand why lying stiff as a board on a park bench was ever considered entertaining. The trend felt silly enough on its own, but the lengths people went to for a “better” plank took things to another level. It’s a reminder of how easily we can get swept up in the need to impress online, even when it involves something as absurd as planking.
2. The Harlem Shake videos
For a brief moment, everyone and their dog was making Harlem Shake videos. These chaotic clips started with one person dancing awkwardly before exploding into a room full of random costumes and wild moves. It was funny for about five minutes… until everyone was doing it, and the joke wore thin. The over-saturation of this trend made it go from quirky to exhausting almost overnight. The original charm of spontaneity was lost as people began staging increasingly elaborate versions. It’s a prime example of how a fun idea can quickly become a social media cliché when everyone jumps on the bandwagon.
3. The “cinnamon challenge”
What could go wrong with trying to swallow a spoonful of cinnamon, right? The trend took over social media with videos of people gagging, coughing, and generally regretting their life choices. It wasn’t just messy, it was downright dangerous, as inhaling cinnamon could cause serious respiratory issues. What made it particularly ridiculous was how unnecessary it was. There wasn’t even an element of skill or achievement! It was purely about watching people fail. The cinnamon challenge might have made for viral content, but it’s definitely one of those trends best left in the past.
4. Overly filtered photos
Remember when Instagram was filled with overly edited photos drenched in sepia tones or ridiculous saturation levels? Everyone was guilty of slapping on the most dramatic filters, regardless of whether it improved the picture. The result? A feed full of unnatural sunsets and faces that barely looked human. This trend was more than just aesthetics — it pointed out the pressure to present a perfect, polished version of life online. Over time, it became exhausting to keep up with the illusion. Thankfully, the obsession with heavy filters has (mostly) faded, but the lesson remains: authenticity always wins in the end.
5. Ice bucket challenge copycats
The original ice bucket challenge was a brilliant campaign to raise awareness for ALS, but it didn’t take long for copycat versions to pop up. Suddenly, everyone was pouring buckets of water over themselves for random causes—or no cause at all. What started as meaningful quickly turned into a watered-down (pun intended) gimmick. These imitations missed the point of the original challenge, which combined fun with fundraising. Instead of supporting a good cause, they became just another way to go viral. It’s a reminder of how easy it is for well-meaning trends to lose their impact when they’re stripped of their purpose.
6. The duck face selfie
Ah, the duck face — a selfie staple that seemed to dominate social media for years. The exaggerated pout was supposed to look edgy or cute, but in reality, it often looked ridiculous. At some point, everyone was doing it, even though no one could explain why. What’s funny is how quickly the duck face went from trendy to cringeworthy. Looking back at old photos can make you wonder why we ever thought it was a good idea. It’s a reminder that not every trend is worth following, especially when it involves pulling unnatural expressions.
7. DIY beauty hacks gone wrong
From using glue as a pore strip to applying lipstick as blush, social media has seen its fair share of questionable beauty hacks. While some were harmless, others led to skin irritation, hair disasters, or just outright regret. The promise of a quick fix often turned out to be too good to be true. The problem with these hacks was how they preyed on people’s insecurities, offering unrealistic solutions that often did more harm than good. They’re a reminder to approach trends with caution, especially when they involve your face or hair. Sometimes, sticking to the basics is the safest bet.
8. The mannequin challenge
For a while, freezing in place to Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” was the internet’s favourite pastime. The mannequin challenge was everywhere, from schools to offices, with people holding impossibly still for dramatic effect. While it was fun at first, it quickly became repetitive as everyone tried to outdo each other. It was so tiresome because it felt like a requirement to participate. If you weren’t doing the mannequin challenge, it was almost like you were missing out on a global inside joke. The pressure to join in took away some of the original charm, leaving it feeling more like a chore than a fun trend.
9. Glitter beards and hair roots
What started as a fun festival trend quickly spiralled into social media overkill. Glitter beards and glitter roots looked great in photos but were a nightmare to clean up. Once the sparkle was everywhere, including places it definitely shouldn’t be, the trend’s practicality (or lack thereof) became painfully obvious. Beyond the mess, these trends felt more about aesthetics than anything else. They might have looked cool for a moment, but the effort and aftermath rarely justified the result. It’s a reminder that some trends are better left for Instagram rather than real life.
10. The “tiny food” obsession
For a while, miniature cooking videos were everywhere. People were mesmerised by the sight of tiny pancakes, doll-sized pizzas, and miniature tea sets. While it was cute, the trend didn’t exactly serve a practical purpose—it was just oddly satisfying to watch. The charm of tiny food faded quickly as the novelty wore off. The sheer impracticality of it made it more of a social media spectacle than something useful or creative. It’s a classic example of how trends can grab our attention for a moment, but rarely have staying power.
11. The milk crate challenge
The milk crate challenge was as dangerous as it was viral. Stacking crates into a wobbly pyramid and trying to climb them seemed like a good idea… until people started falling spectacularly. The trend quickly turned into a series of fails that left participants injured and viewers cringing. It proved how far people will go for online clout, even at the risk of serious harm. It’s a stark reminder to think twice before jumping on a trend that prioritises shock value over safety. Some risks just aren’t worth the temporary internet fame.
12. Rainbow-coloured food everything
Rainbow bagels, cakes, lattes — you name it, it probably got a colourful makeover at some point. While these brightly hued foods looked great on social media, they often tasted like disappointment. The focus was more on aesthetics than flavour, leaving many people wondering if the trend was worth it. What made this trend even more baffling was how quickly it became oversaturated. Every café and bakery seemed to jump on the rainbow bandwagon, even if the results were less than stellar. It’s a reminder that sometimes, simple and delicious beats eye-catching and forgettable.
