Teens are usually the ones under fire for their involvement in viral challenges on TikTok. Now, however, moms sit at the center of a social media debate as they record themselves spilling water on their baby for a TikTok.
In a new TikTok challenge, moms record themselves sitting by their babies with a cup of water in their hands. They pretend to get startled and “accidentally” spill the water on their babies, usually splashing the baby’s face or head.
@lolospeaks_ My always laughing baby 😂😂 ##babiesoftiktok ##blackmomsoftiktok ##momsoftiktok
♬ Ah Eh – queen_zyon1
While many found it funny that unsuspecting babies suddenly found themselves drenched, others were pointing out how cruel it was to intentionally wet the babies. In many TikTok videos, the babies keep up their good mood even after getting wet. In others, however, the babies’ faces crumple as they begin to cry out.
@mikaylamatthews I’m never doing a Tik Tok trend again 😂😂 I felt so bad 🥺🥺🥺 wait for it ##fyp##upcycling##babiesoftiktok##whatyoudoingwiththat
♬ Ah Eh – queen_zyon1
User Mikayla Matthews (@mikaylamatthews) posted her attempt at the trend and got mixed reactions. One user commented, “This brought me so much joy. It’s such a silly little thing but her reaction was exactly what mine would have been too.”
Another commenter voiced their concerns, writing “Couldn’t do this to my baby. not worth a tiktok. it came out that this was cruel. water is probably cold too. poor thing.” The criticism isn’t exclusive to Matthews’ video, as other videos’ comments have people warning against the challenge and the possibility of “dry drowning.”
(To be clear, “dry drowning” isn’t a real thing, despite what people often hear in the media. Read about it here.)
The negativity didn’t stop Matthews from trying out the trend again. In a new video, she enlisted the help of her older son and gave him the opportunity to drench her. Check it out.
@mikaylamatthews Beckham wanted to try this trend lolol 😂😂 ##fyp##HiddenTalents##whatyoudoingwiththat##beckhamjace##tiktokfamily##trending
♬ Ah Eh – queen_zyon1