Online challenges have become an integral part of internet culture, especially in the age of social media. Whether it’s dancing, fitness, or quirky trends, these challenges often go viral, bringing people together from all around the world. From fun, lighthearted activities to causes meant to raise awareness, online challenges can capture the attention of millions in just a few days.
In this blog post, we will dive into some of the most popular online challenges, explaining what they are, how they started, and why they have such a massive impact on the digital world.
What Are Online Challenges?
An online challenge is typically a task or activity in which individuals, groups, or brands encourage others to participate. Often, these challenges spread through social media platforms like Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and TikTok. Participants usually upload their attempts, tagging friends or challenging others to take part.
Some challenges are fun and goofy, while others may be more serious and thought-provoking. The key to their success is their ability to inspire participation and creativity, often pushing people to do something they wouldn’t normally do or raising awareness about important social issues.
The Ice Bucket Challenge The Ice Bucket Challenge took social media by storm in 2014. In this challenge, participants poured a bucket of ice-cold water over their heads, filmed the process, and then nominated others to do the same within 24 hours. The challenge was designed to raise awareness for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Lou Gehrig’s disease.
How Did It Start? The Ice Bucket Challenge began as a way to spread awareness of ALS and raise funds for research. A group of athletes first popularized it, and it quickly gained momentum when famous personalities like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Mark Zuckerberg participated.
Why Was It So Popular?
The Ice Bucket Challenge’s success came from its combination of fun and a good cause. The cold, shocking nature of the challenge made it an exciting experience for participants, while its purpose—raising awareness and funds for ALS—made it meaningful. It went viral across social media platforms, and by the end of the campaign, millions of dollars were raised for ALS research.
The Mannequin Challenge was a viral trend that became popular in 2016. In this challenge, people would freeze in a variety of poses, mimicking mannequins, while someone filmed them moving around the scene. The challenge was often accompanied by the song “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd, which became the unofficial soundtrack.
How Did It Start? The challenge started in a high school in Jacksonville, Florida, and quickly gained popularity on platforms like Instagram and Twitter. The first viral video showed a group of students in a hallway, frozen in place as the camera moved around them. Celebrities such as Beyoncé, Paul McCartney, and even the Obamas participated, further increasing the challenge’s popularity.
Why Was It So Popular?
The Mannequin Challenge was fun and visually interesting, especially when performed in creative settings. Its simplicity made it easy for anyone to join in, whether it was individuals posing in their living rooms or large groups in public spaces. Plus, the accompanying music gave the challenge a catchy and memorable element, helping it spread rapidly across social media.
The #10YearChallenge, also known as the “How Hard Did Aging Hit You?” challenge, took off in 2018. In this challenge, people posted two photos: one from 10 years ago and one from the present day. The goal was to show how they had changed over a decade, whether physically, emotionally, or mentally.
How Did It Start? The #10YearChallenge gained momentum on Instagram, where users started sharing side-by-side comparisons of their younger selves and current appearances. The challenge was embraced by celebrities and everyday people alike, and soon enough, people were using it to show off their transformations in all aspects of life, from hairstyles to careers and beyond.
Why Was It So Popular? The #10YearChallenge was both fun and reflective. It gave people a chance to look back at how much they had grown over the years, often sparking nostalgia. It also offered a way for people to connect with others by sharing personal stories of change and growth. The simplicity of the challenge—just two photos and a caption—made it accessible to a broad audience.
The Bottle Cap Challenge
The Bottle Cap Challenge was a viral trend in 2019 where participants would attempt to unscrew a bottle cap with a spinning kick. The challenge required precision, flexibility, and, most importantly, an ability to film the kick perfectly.
How Did It Start? The challenge was popularized by actor Jason Statham when he posted a video of himself performing the challenge with flawless accuracy. Soon after, celebrities like John Mayer and Conor McGregor began participating, encouraging others to try the challenge as well. The bottle cap challenge quickly went viral, with millions of people around the world trying it.
Why Was It So Popular? The Bottle Cap Challenge was popular because it combined skill, creativity, and a bit of humor. It was a fun challenge for people to try, with the added difficulty of needing the right angle, balance, and focus to execute it perfectly. Watching different people try and fail (or succeed) brought a sense of entertainment, making it highly shareable on social media.
What Are They? In the past few years, TikTok has become the go-to platform for viral dance challenges. These challenges often involve short, catchy routines set to popular music. One of the most famous examples is the Renegade dance, which went viral in 2019.
How Did They Start? TikTok dance challenges usually start with one person or a group creating a fun and easy-to-follow dance routine to a trending song. Once the dance is posted online, others replicate it, add their twist, and share it with their followers. The hashtag #Renegade, for instance, exploded on TikTok, with millions of people posting their versions of the dance. The challenge helped launch the careers of many TikTok influencers and dancers.
Why Are They So Popular? TikTok dance challenges are fun, energetic, and easy to participate in. The short nature of TikTok videos (usually 15 to 60 seconds) makes them quick to watch and even quicker to recreate. They give people an outlet for creative expression and have a social component, as participants enjoy showing off their skills and getting feedback from others. The trend is also fueled by TikTok’s algorithm, which makes it easy for viral content to spread.
The Plank Challenge
The Plank Challenge was a fitness trend where participants had to hold a plank position for as long as possible. The challenge often involved people trying to hold the plank in creative or unusual locations—such as on top of a table, while on a beach, or even while surrounded by obstacles.
How Did It Start? The plank challenge began in 2011 and quickly gained popularity on social media. It was particularly common in fitness circles, as it showcased core strength and stability. It eventually spread across the globe, with people attempting the plank in various fun and unique ways.
Why Was It So Popular? The plank challenge was simple yet physically demanding. People could participate with little equipment or preparation, and it appealed to anyone looking to test their endurance. Additionally, performing the plank in creative or daring ways kept things interesting and entertaining.
The Tide Pod Challenge
The Tide Pod Challenge was a dangerous online trend that started in 2017, where participants filmed themselves biting into laundry detergent pods (Tide Pods). It became widely known for its absurdity and the extreme health risks involved, as ingesting Tide Pods can be toxic.
How Did It Start? The challenge began as a meme on platforms like Twitter and Reddit, where people joked about the colorful appearance of Tide Pods. However, it quickly spiraled into dangerous behavior as some individuals tried to eat the pods for attention or to gain views. The challenge prompted widespread warnings from health professionals and the brand itself.
Why Did It Go Viral? While the Tide Pod Challenge was dangerous and quickly met with backlash, its viral success came from the shock factor. Social media platforms amplified the challenge, drawing in viewers who couldn’t believe what they were seeing. The challenge highlighted the dark side of internet trends, where shock value can sometimes outpace common sense.
Conclusion
Online challenges have become a significant part of digital culture, and their influence continues to grow. From raising awareness for causes like ALS with the Ice Bucket Challenge to providing entertainment and promoting fitness with dance and plank challenges, these trends have something for everyone.
However, as with any viral phenomenon, it’s important to participate responsibly and consider the impact of the challenge you’re engaging with. Some challenges are meant to be fun, while others may be harmful or dangerous. Always make sure you understand the risks and motivations behind a challenge before jumping in.
Whether you’re looking to have some fun, raise awareness, or show off your skills, online challenges offer an exciting way to connect with others in the digital world. So, why not try one today and see what the next viral trend will be?