It’s not always about the pasta — at least to TikTok teens. It’s no secret that teens routinely change up their slang, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that teens saying, “I had pasta tonight” has nothing to do with meals. “I had pasta tonight” and similar lines are actually a call for help.
“I had pasta tonight” really means that the person posting the TikTok is suffering from depression, anxiety, or experiencing suicidal thoughts.
On a platform where pranks and challenges go viral, this code — which started making the rounds this summer — is a stark contrast from the usual lighthearted content. While teens feel uncomfortable talking openly about their mental health, the code allows them to find support on the platform.