No one likes bullies, and they usually face backlash. Sometimes, however, that backlash can go too far. That appears to be the case with a California minor who was filmed making fun of a TikToker while he was recording a video in public. The TikToker later shared the clip of himself at a food spot, adding text that read, “was trying to make a food review in public and these wannabe mean girls laughed and made fun of me.” From the start of the video, a girl who appears to be a minor can be seen in the background mocking him. She makes exaggerated facial expressions behind him before saying, “No one knows who you are.” Despite the interruption, the man continued filming his video. He didn’t let the moment slide entirely, though, as he later asked viewers to try to identify who the girl was.
Unfortunately for the California girl, people were quick to track down her social media accounts. Commenters began doxxing her, sharing personal information and even identifying the school she attends and the sports team she plays for. What started as her mocking the TikToker quickly escalated into thousands of people turning on her instead. The harassment became so overwhelming that she was forced to make her accounts private. With the video surpassing six million views, it’s likely the girl received an enormous amount of hate. Early on, the TikToker appeared to encourage the backlash, replying to comments that mocked the girl’s appearance and agreeing with them. However, his tone later changed. He eventually posted a comment asking people to stop, writing, “hi guys‼! Pls stop flooding their comments they have apologized and the situation is resolved. Thank you sm for all the support.”
Despite the TikToker’s comment asking people to stop, the harassment continued. He eventually felt compelled to post a follow-up video addressing the situation. In it, he responded to claims that he had edited the clip to fit his narrative by sharing the entire, uncut video. He also pushed back against the girl’s explanation that she had been talking to a friend rather than mocking him. Before making her account private, the girl had posted a video attempting to explain herself, which he directly addressed. “You don’t have to lie. You already got exposed,” he told her. The TikToker went on to say that the situation had affected him personally, claiming it left him shaken for the rest of the day. When commenters pointed out that the girl was a minor, he responded that she was the one who put herself in his video. “How you conduct yourself in public space can and will be seen by everyone,” he added.
The TikToker continued by arguing that the girl’s status as a minor didn’t mean she was in the right. Toward the end of the video, he claimed that he was not supporting any hate directed at her. That statement quickly drew criticism, as many users began posting screenshots of his own earlier comments under the original video, showing him actively attacking the girl. Even if the girl was wrong for mocking him, the level of harassment she faced was far beyond what anyone should have to endure. In one extreme instance, someone even created a hate account using her photos. The situation serves as a stark reminder of just how dangerous online pile-ons can become once they spiral out of control.
People Reacting to the California Minor Mocking the TikToker
The majority of comments under the California TikToker’s original video were overwhelmingly harsh toward the girl. Many users reposted photos of her to mock her appearance, with one person even writing, “You’re telling me THIS bullied you?” When someone attempted to defend her by suggesting she was joking, another commenter pushed back, replying, “a joke is only a joke if both parties are laughing. If not, then that’s called bullying.” Others focused on how common public filming has become, especially in Los Angeles. One TikTok user commented, “no offense but why are they acting shocked to see someone filming themselves.. old people do it even and in LA everyones vlogging all the time so like is this their first time outside or something???” A NewsBreak user echoed a similar sentiment, writing, “there was literally no reason for them to get up in your business. I wish it wasn’t such a struggle for ppl to learn how to mind their own business and let ppl do their own thing.”
As the backlash intensified, many people began to defend the California girl after seeing the level of harassment she was receiving. One person described the situation as overblown, writing, “This is such a non issue. Barely rude and definitely not enough to be doxing a minor on the internet.” Others offered a more nuanced take. One woman shared a longer perspective, saying, “Honestly as a 42 year old nobody mom, it all just looks like they thought they were funny and just photobombing bc they knew you were doing a video. I’m likely guilty of doing it too. I don’t think she was making fun of you she was just being annoying. It did seem as if her friend directed the nobody knows who you are towards her when she tried to photobomb you. Probably should have slept on that post a few days before jumping to conclusions that the intent was to make fun of you.” The situation ultimately highlighted how quickly online criticism can escalate, and just how harsh internet reactions can become once they gain momentum.
