TikTok’s flip the camera trend explained
+ discussing it with your teen
Quick summary
- “Flip the camera” is a TikTok trend where people ask an unsuspecting person to film them, and then they switch the camera from selfie to rear camera to reveal the filmer’s face without them knowing
- It may seem harmless, but it has been used to tease and humiliate the people who innocently agreed to film
- Parents can help their teen by talking about online kindness and privacy, so they can protect themselves from this trend – this may also be a good time to introduce them to a positive platform like the luna app where they can learn about this too
Teens are on social media almost constantly, and as a parent, it can feel like you’re constantly chasing down information about the next big TikTok trend to see if it’s something to worry about.
Lucky for you, luna’s doing that for you!
And today, we’re covering the “flip the camera” trend. It’s been going around TikTok loads recently, and it is getting a lot of backlash. So let’s talk about why.
What is the flip the camera trend?
It starts with a simple setup: a teen asks someone (often an unsuspecting classmate or stranger) to film them doing a TikTok dance.
But, halfway through, they walk up to the phone and flip the camera to film the person holding the phone instead.
The video captures their confused or startled reaction, and that moment becomes the punchline.
It’s meant to be funny, and isn’t always meant in malice.
But when the person being filmed didn’t agree to be on camera, and especially when they’re caught off guard or looking uncomfortable, it can feel more like a prank at their expense than a joke everyone’s in on.
Why it can turn quickly into bullying
The punchline of the joke is the person being filmed, and this can be bullying because:
- It violates consent: the person didn’t agree to be recorded or posted online
- It targets vulnerability: teens often flip the camera on someone who’s shy, awkward, or unaware
- It spreads fast: once posted, the video can rack up thousands of views, comments, and shares, often without the person’s knowledge
- It can lead to shame or anxiety: being laughed at online, especially by peers, can seriously affect a teen’s confidence and self-esteem
Even if your teen isn’t creating or sharing videos, just watching these clips can affect how they feel about themselves and others.
How parents can respond to this trend
It can feel tricky to know what to do.
You don’t want to sound strict or scare them off opening up to you in the future about this stuff, but it's important to have these conversations about bullying and online privacy with your teen.
This is whether they are likely to be a perpetrator of the trend, or a victim.
Here’s a gentle, approachable way to guide your teen:
- Talk openly: ask your teen if they’ve seen the trend and how it makes them feel
- Discuss empathy: encourage them to think about how it feels to be on the receiving end of a joke (if you worry they may try it themselves)
- Discuss boundaries: remind them about safe sharing, privacy, and posting responsibly – if it’s possible they’d be a victim of this, discuss how to say “no” if someone they don’t know asks them to take a film for them
- Check in regularly: let them know they can come to you if they’re targeted or feel pressured to take part
What to do if your teen has been targeted
If your teen has been targeted by the flip the camera trend, in a similar approach to the mugs trend (another form of bullying), you may want to:
- Listen first without interrupting: let your teen tell you what happened in their own words and time, they may struggle to explain it and they may be feeling low or embarrassed about the situation
- Validate their feelings: acknowledge that it’s normal to feel embarrassed, upset, or angry – this is something they may be taking incredibly seriously so it may be best to avoid laughing it off or smiling as they tell you (though of course you know your teen best!)
- Document evidence: encourage them to save screenshots or videos in case they need to report bullying to the platform or school
- Report and block: show them how to block the person responsible and report harmful content on TikTok or Instagram (or whichever social media platform it’s been shared on)
- Discuss coping strategies: discuss ways to respond or disengage from the trend, and remind them that it’s okay to step back from TikTok and other social media platforms temporarily – we have a guide to weaning them off TikTok if needed!
- Stay involved: online incidents can have lingering effects, and your teen may need ongoing support, so keep checking in and watch out for signs of bullying if you worry they may not be telling you everything
Supporting your teen in a digital world
Trends like flip the camera can seem fun, but they can also be used to hurt others, as hopefully we’ve explained today.
The best way to support your teen is having open conversations, and reinforcing kindness online.
For extra guidance on digital wellbeing, social media trends, and online bullying, you can also introduce your teen to luna.
Our app is a safe space for teens to ask questions and get advice from experts, without any of the noise that social media comes with – it’s a totally closed community, with no commenting, just a safe safe to learn!
How we created this article:
luna's team of experts comprises GPs, Dermatologists, Safeguarding Leads and Junior Doctors as well as Medical Students with specialised interests in paediatric care, mental health and gynaecology. All articles are created by experts, and reviewed by a member of luna's senior review team.
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