If you’re active on TikTok or Twitter, you may have come across the trending theme known as “side-eye.” This nonverbal gesture involves looking at someone or something with eyes angled to the side, conveying disdain, distrust, condemnation, or veiled curiosity. While side-eye has been used for ages, it gained massive popularity on TikTok in January 2023, leading to a viral trend that has sparked controversy among social media users. Here’s everything you need to know about TikTok’s ‘Side-Eye’ trend.
Cynthia Mmasi, a 19-year-old influencer on TikTok, is credited with starting the ‘Side-Eye’ TikTok trend. During a live broadcast with her followers, Cynthia repeated the words “side-eye” in two different tones, which caught the attention of other users. Since then, over a billion TikTok subscribers have employed Cynthia’s video audio to depict other situations that deserve side-eye. The trend gained even more momentum when user @lmfaomal published a video of herself adding “Bombastic Side-Eye, Criminal Offensive Side-Eye,” which has since been lip-synced and “POV’d” by numerous users.
On TikTok, the phrase ‘side-eye’ means someone is silently doubting or judging someone’s motives. Typically, the term is used in a negative context to criticize someone or something. When someone comments ‘side-eye’ under a TikTok video, it often implies that they are evaluating or questioning the video’s content.
The side-eye trend has sparked controversy among social media users, with many labeling it as the “worst” TikTok trend. Some users initially thought people were using the phrase because it was popular, but after discovering its true meaning, they disapproved of it. However, many others find it a fun and harmless way to express their opinions on social media. Some users have also made videos about using ‘side-eye’ to discreetly communicate with their friends about something happening nearby.
The ‘Side-Eye’ trend is not the first TikTok trend to make headlines, and it likely won’t be the last. Earlier, Gen Z shared how they found the thumbs-up emoji rude, prompting an intergenerational debate. While some may criticize TikTok trends, they reflect the changing dynamics of social media culture and how users express themselves in new and innovative ways.
Overall, the ‘Side-Eye’ TikTok trend is just one of the many viral trends that have taken the internet by storm. Whether you love it or hate it, the trend has captured the attention of millions of users worldwide, demonstrating the power of social media to influence and shape our culture.
