Stealthy teenagers are diving into the world of minuscule thefts, and their prize? Nike zipper pulls. TikTok has birthed yet another odd trend where kids are swiping zipper pulls from Nike backpacks. Yes, you read that right: zipper pulls. The peculiar fad has become a hot topic on social media, with TikTokkers encouraging others to ‘just do it’ – steal, that is.

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What’s the allure? It’s all about the adrenaline and street cred. Teens are filming themselves snatching these small accessories off people’s backpacks in public, then sharing their victorious exploits online. Think of it as a modern, albeit mischievous, scavenger hunt. While some might label it as harmless fun, others are far from amused, finding it quite ‘messed up.’

This trend sheds light on how social media can both inspire and instigate questionable behavior. For Nike, it’s free publicity, though perhaps not the kind they envisioned. For the rest of us, it’s a mix of disbelief and a curious grin – after all, who knew something as mundane as a zipper pull could become a coveted trophy?

As with every viral trend, this too shall pass, leaving behind a trail of zipper-less backpacks and a series of controversial TikTok videos. Meanwhile, one can’t help but wonder what bizarre trend will capture the teenage imagination next.

Photo Credit REUTERS/Mike Blake