Propelled by the power of social media, TikTok has recently fueled the popularity of the bittersweet “Zipper Challenge.” This ultimate prank began as a comedic trend among friends and has festered into a unique scandal that has spread within the halls of Seattle Prep. Many Seattle Prep students have become victims of this so-called challenge and, as a result, are forced to roam the halls zipper-less. The large scale of the prank begs the question: has the joke gone too far?

The Zipper Challenge was instigated on September 17, 2024, when multiple TikTokers began posting their accumulation of stolen Nike Elite Zippers.  These videos sparked a light-hearted national competition between teens to collect the most zippers from classmates.

The infamous zipper thefts have created chaos within high schools, including Seattle Prep. The zipper challenge became a topic of debate when the Dean of Students, Mr. Hendricks, addressed the issue via an all-school email saying, “This may seem like a prank, but it is theft and or vandalism.” The prank was discouraged and seemed to successfully deter criminals from committing further offenses.

Similar to the previous “devious lick challenge,” the trend became the newest and funniest prank but inevitably died down as students moved on to the next best thing. Time and time again, TikTok has fueled trends that become a topic of debate between parents, teachers, and even students. Does this issue require intervention, or is it simply an innocent joke? How severely does the app influence criminal activity or other harmful behavior among teens?

Parents and teachers nationwide have spoken to the outbreak of disrespectful trends such as the Zipper Challenge. The leaders emphasize how seemingly harmless pranks can have serious repercussions. It is important to consider the consequences of the media people consume and the actions they take. Above all, remember to employ a sense of compassion and respect for others, and don’t forget to watch your zippers!