What is the egg cracking trend?
The egg cracking trend is a viral challenge that emerged on the social media platform TikTok in early 2022. It involves people cracking raw eggs on each other’s heads, often resulting in the egg dripping down their faces and bodies. Videos using the hashtag #eggcrackchallenge began proliferating on TikTok, amassing millions of views.
The premise of the trend is simple – two people stand facing each other, and one person cracks an egg directly onto the other person’s head, letting the egg and shell ooze down their hair and face. The “victim” typically reacts with shock, laughter, or annoyance as the egg drips everywhere. It creates a silly, lighthearted messy moment that people film for TikTok.
While the exact origin is unclear, the egg cracking trend seemed to take off in popularity after TikTok user @cracked_egg_ started posting compilation videos in January 2022 showing different iterations of people cracking eggs on each other. The trend spread quickly from there, with many users creating their own egg cracking videos.
Origin and history
The egg cracking trend on TikTok first emerged in August 2022 when user @cracked_it_videos posted a video of themselves cracking an egg on their friend’s head as part of the “Crack an egg on your head” challenge (NBC News). The trend began as a fun and silly prank among friends, but quickly spread on TikTok as more users started making their own videos cracking eggs on each other’s heads.
While @cracked_it_videos is credited with kicking off the initial viral egg cracking challenge, the trend exploded in popularity in August 2022 when parents began making videos of cracking eggs on their babies’ and young children’s heads. This iteration alarmed many viewers and sparked backlash, but also drove huge engagement and views on the platform.
How the trend works
The TikTok egg cracking trend involves parents or other adults cracking a raw egg on a child’s head and filming their reaction for social media. Usually the child is unaware that they are about to have an egg cracked over their head.
The trend started in early 2022 but went viral in August 2022 when more influencers and everyday users began participating and sharing videos of themselves cracking eggs on children’s heads. The videos are shared on TikTok with hashtags like #eggcrackchallenge, #eggprank and #crackaneggonyourhead.
The format involves the adult holding up an egg to the camera, then cracking it open on a child’s head while they are seated or bending over. The child’s surprised reaction is the highlight of the video. Afterwards, the raw egg drips down the child’s hair and face. Some parents then show themselves washing the egg out of the child’s hair.
While it began with parents cracking eggs on their own children’s heads, the trend expanded to include cracking eggs on other people’s children, younger siblings or even unaware adults. The premise relies on catching the subject off-guard for a funny reaction.
Popularity and impact
The egg cracking trend has exploded in popularity on TikTok over the past few months. According to NBC News, videos tagged with #eggcrack and #eggcrackchallenge have amassed over 265 million views as of August 2022. New egg cracking videos continue to be uploaded daily, with some achieving millions of views and likes.
The trend initially started gaining traction in early 2022 but really took off this summer. TikTok’s algorithm began heavily recommending the egg cracking videos, causing them to go viral. Much of the viewership and engagement comes from kids and teens, who find entertainment in the messy stunts. Adults have also participated in and viewed the trend out of curiosity.
As the egg cracking challenge permeated TikTok’s For You feed, its popularity skyrocketed. While the views seem to have plateaued, the trend remains widespread. Short-form, funny content like egg cracking achieves high engagement on TikTok. The videos’ shock factor makes them highly “shareable,” further fueling their reach.
Notable iterations
The TikTok egg cracking challenge has spawned several popular and viral examples. One of the most viewed iterations is a video by TikTok user @mrdannyglassman showing him cracking an egg on a girl’s head, which has received over 30 million views (https://www.tiktok.com/@mrdannyglassman/video/7177966500681192710). Another viral video is by @iamtabithabrown smashing an egg on a distracted boy’s head, garnering over 50 million views (https://www.tiktok.com/@iamtabithabrown/video/7175828129284794382). The mother-daughter duo of @kyrascantron and @mindyourmanners58 went viral with their funny egg cracking video as well (https://www.tiktok.com/@mindyourmanners58/video/7124201998572399109). Other notable iterations feature creative twists like cracking eggs on unsuspecting family members or using eggs filled with different substances for surprise effects.
Purpose and meaning
The egg cracking trend appears to have started as a form of harmless fun and entertainment among families and friends. Parents initially saw it as a silly prank or joke to play on their kids and capture their surprised reactions on video. According to NBC News, the trend took off after popular family vloggers posted videos of themselves cracking eggs on their children’s heads.
For participants, the appeal seems to be in capturing the kid’s unscripted response for the amusement of viewers. The messiness and shock factor add to the humor. Kids are often upset at first but get over it quickly. Some even ask to try again. The trend allows parents to bond with their children through practical jokes. As a viral challenge, it also lets people participate in a popular internet craze.
On a deeper level, the egg cracking trend ties into themes of innocence and nurturing. Eggs represent new life and fertility. Parents “giving birth” to their kids in this unusual way symbolizes their protective role. The child’s pure reaction captures a fleeting moment of childhood. However, critics argue this deeper symbolism gives an inappropriate gravity to what should remain a lighthearted joke.
Criticisms and controversies
The egg cracking trend has garnered significant backlash and criticism. Many view the trend as a waste of food, given ongoing issues with global food insecurity and lack of access to nutrition. According to the United Nations, nearly 10% of people globally were undernourished in 2021.
Critics argue that wasting eggs for social media views is unethical when so many go hungry (NBC News). There are also environmental concerns around food waste more broadly, as rotting food releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
Beyond food waste, some medical professionals have warned about potential harms, especially when cracking eggs on toddlers’ heads. Falling eggshells and raw egg contents could potentially cause cuts, eye injuries, or even salmonella exposure in rare cases (Medium).
Many argue the trend promotes questionable parenting choices just for social media fame. Child development experts advise against startling or upsetting young children simply for entertainment.
Impact on egg sales
The egg cracking trend has led to a significant increase in egg sales since going viral on TikTok. According to one analysis, egg prices have risen over 138% from the previous year, with the average price for a dozen grade A eggs now costing $4 (https://www.tiktok.com/channel/egg-price?lang=en). The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that egg prices in December 2022 were about 60% higher than the prior year.
This jump in prices corresponds with increased consumer demand driven by the viral TikTok trend. In the last 3 months of 2022, egg sales at U.S. retailers and wholesalers were up 6.5% compared to 2021, totaling over $1 billion in sales. The American Egg Board estimates a 15% increase in egg demand from the TikTok trend. As consumers buy more eggs to participate in cracking challenges, egg producers are struggling to meet demand, further elevating prices.
While increased egg sales and prices benefit producers in the short term, analysts warn that demand may drop and prices fall once the trend dies down. But for now, the egg cracking craze is cracking open new profits for the egg industry.
Safety concerns
One of the biggest risks with cracking raw eggs on someone’s head or body is the potential for salmonella contamination. Salmonella is a type of bacteria that can cause food poisoning, and raw or undercooked eggs are a common source of salmonella infections (Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/egg-cracking-tiktok-trend-dismays-medical-experts-rcna101077). When an egg is cracked directly onto the head or body, any salmonella bacteria present may come into contact with the eyes, nose, mouth or broken skin, providing a pathway for infection.
To avoid salmonella, it’s important to handle eggs properly and cook them thoroughly before eating. However, in the egg cracking trend, raw eggs are being cracked directly onto people’s heads and bodies. The FDA recommends not allowing raw eggs or foods containing them to touch ready-to-eat foods, utensils or surfaces (Source: http://katiecouric.com/lifestyle/parenting/egg-cracking-challenge-tiktok/). Cracking them directly onto the human body clearly violates these safe handling guidelines.
Beyond salmonella risks, getting egg shell fragments, raw egg contents, and other contaminants in the eyes or ears could potentially cause eye infections or other issues. Any activity involving raw eggs should be approached with an abundance of caution.
Future outlook
The egg cracking trend is likely to fade in popularity over time as most viral video fads tend to be short-lived. Social media trends come and go quickly, so the novelty of cracking eggs on heads will probably wear off. Additionally, some experts predict the potential dangers of salmonella exposure and injuries will deter participation.
While the egg cracking trend may continue in the near future, it’s unlikely to maintain long-term popularity. Most TikTok users chase the next viral idea, seeking fresh content and new challenges. Trends fall out of favor once they become oversaturated. As critics speak out against the possible harms, many parents may also hesitate to crack eggs on their children’s heads. Ultimately, the egg cracking fad seems destined to run its course until the next online craze emerges.
