Cracking an egg on your kid's face is only entertaining to you

OPINION: "The looks on their little faces - how is that funny at all?"

Image: supplied

Do you know what I think is the best part of the totally disgusting TikTok viral egg crack challenge?

The one where adults are literally cracking eggs against toddlers' foreheads and filming their hurt, shocked reaction for funsies?

That most of the creators posting clips of them doing it are turning off the comments.

They posted themselves doing this humiliating 'prank' on little children to get clicks, and it's perfect karma to me that the backlash has been so severe, they're getting the opposite of what they intended. 

Very few are laughing - certainly not their own kids.

All these 'creators' are actually doing is outing themselves as bad people and bad parents.

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RELATED: Parents slammed over viral egg crack prank

TikTok viral Egg Crack Challenge

The hashtag of the challenge has been viewed more than 54 million times, proving it's got people's attention.

But it stinks of utter desperation, like a neglected child who is acting out because any response to their behaviour will do.

Because a lot of the reaction is negative. Beyond negative.

The clips have been shared and stitched and dueted and commented on thousands of times, by absolutely horrified viewers and other creators.

Essentially, anyone cracking an egg against a toddler's forehead and posting their shocked reactions and looks of confusion that border on fear, should now know:

1. They are being their child's first bully, by the sheer act of them laughing after hurting them. Laughing as they watch their innocent faces crumple into tears.
2. They are destroying the trust their kids have in them.
3. They are teaching them it's OK to have 'fun' at other people's expense, ie, how to bully.
4. They are denying them a chance to enjoy real pranks and genuine comedy - which is such a rich part of life.

Not to mention, as one pediatrician TikToker pointed out, exposing them to a potential allergen and raw egg in an uncontrolled way.

The timing of the trend

What's bemusing to me is the timing of this trend. We're in an era where parents are being encouraged more than ever to really consider what they post online about their kids; their digital footprint and how they may feel about it in years to come.

But these parents do not care about that in the slightest.

As major social commentator Soogia1, who has almost two million followers, says in her reaction video, "I find these so mean. The looks on their little faces - how is that funny at all?

"The confusion and betrayal and pain - that's sad to me.

"For a couple of likes and views you humiliate your child on the internet? If you think that's funny, therein lies the problem."

Image: supplied

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Why would you want your kids to be immune to discomfort they've caused?

I'm all for pranks - it's a big part of our daily life. I often tell my kid a package he was waiting for hasn't arrived, when it has. He will collect the Uber Eats delivery at the door and come back complaining that they've messed up the order - just to see my reaction.

Pro tip: if you have a tween or teen, call airpods earpods and watch them gloriously implode.

But there's one thing I always draw a limit at: humour that puts anyone down about their appearance, job, home - anything that is personal. Anything that's mean.

Because that's being a bully. I've met a lot of those in my life, and I don't know a single one who is happy. So why would I want my son to become that?

Why would any parent deny their child the joy in making people genuinely laugh? That's one of the most amazing feelings in the world.

So, especially while they're so vulnerable and young, keep it at "pull my finger." And never let them have egg on their face - physically or metaphorically. 

Originally published as Cracking an egg on your kid's face is only entertaining to you