A TikTok trend in which parents tell their young offspring, “I’m so hungry I could eat a kid,” is the latest craze to hit social media. While there’s no doubt the videos feature cute little ones and are intended just for laughs, mental health professionals say what some parents view as harmless fun may actually be affecting children in unplanned ways.
What Is the ‘I’m So Hungry I Could Eat a Kid’ TikTok Trend?
In these viral videos posted online, you can see parents joking, “I’m so hungry I could eat a kid,” and recording tots’ reactions. It’s a pretty straightforward challenge, as evident in this compilation of TikTok videos.
Importantly, none of the kids seem outwardly upset, and many joke right back to the adults. Commenters also see the humor in the trend. But are there repercussions beyond a chuckle to consider?
The experts we spoke with say “yes.”
What Kids Really Experience With This Trend
A child’s perception of what is going on often differs from an adult’s, which is not a revelation to any parent!
Patricia Bathurst, LMFT, at The Oasis Rehab in California, admits that the “I’m so hungry I could eat a kid” TikTok videos were not created with malicious intent.
“In the ones that I viewed, the kids didn’t appear to be upset or scared,” she notes, adding that the parents perhaps know their kids well enough to sense their reactions ahead of time.
That said, Bathurst says, “A parent should never try this if they believe that it would upset their child. The loss of trust from your child is not worth the likes.”
Consider, too, that most young kids won’t even “get it.”
Indeed, according to Sari Goodman, MA, a Certified Parent Educator and Coach, and the founder of The Parental Edge, children ages 4 and younger likely don’t understand the concept of sarcasm. They tend to take things very literally.
“Some young children in this situation will smile and laugh, because their parents are smiling and laughing,” she says. “They will not understand that the joke is on them.”
Unfortunately, by taking part in this trend, parents are modeling how to tease someone for laughs and likes, and even possibly signaling to their kids that bullying is OK.
“I wonder what these parents will do when their kid teases another kid for laughs because they have learned that it is fun?” Goodman asks.
TikTok Trends Involving Kids Should Be Approached With Extreme Care
The bottom line is that just because something is trending doesn’t mean it’s a good idea or appropriate, says Amber Monroe, LMFT, at Healing Balance Therapy in California. She reminds parents that our role is to be mindful of our words, tone, and how we interact with children, and this TikTok trend is not on target with those goals.
Agreeing with Goodman, Monroe asserts, “Kids don’t grasp intention the way adults do. They interpret the literal meaning of words and how those words make them feel.”
She seconds the notion that when an adult makes a frightening statement, it can be confusing and upsetting, even threatening kids’ sense of safety. She advises against trying this trend. But if you do, and it backfires, Monroe encourages parents to immediately reassure your child that it was a joke.
Signs your child was adversely affected by the trend include having nightmares or acting out, according to Monroe.
“Any TikTok trend involving kids should be approached with caution,” she ultimately advises. “Children aren’t props, and their emotional well-being should never be compromised for a few clicks or shares.”
Monroe emphasizes that what may seem like a quick, funny moment to grown-ups can stay with children in unanticipated ways. Of course, parents don’t need to be perfect, but she says, “They do need to be intentional.”
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