By Siddarth Suresh

TikTok is currently being overtaken by a nostalgic “repeated joke” trend that mirrors the playful yet emotional moments of childhood. In these videos, two people compete to make a judge laugh. The first person, often a young child, delivers a joke with excitement and confidence, only for the judge to remain completely unimpressed. Then, when the second person repeats the exact same joke, the judge bursts into exaggerated laughter, leaving the first child confused or upset. “This trend has been appearing all over my For You Page, and it’s really made me reflect on my own childhood days,” said Aashita Mantena (10). The trend has gained attention not just for its humor, but for how it reflects real childhood experiences when effort went unnoticed, and laughter or approval seemed unevenly given. Though it may seem lighthearted, it’s a poignant reminder of how deeply we value recognition, even in the smallest moments.