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The Daily Dot

Rebecca Leib

3 image split. Tik Tok creators doing "Anxiety" trend where their mirror self is looking at them while they are looking ahead.

Culture

The ‘anxiety’ mirror trend is haunting TikTok—here’s how it works

Mustafa Gatollari has been an internet culture writer for over a decade. He has a passion for connecting what’s trending on social media to solid research—helping to separate clout-chasing claims from facts.

Mustafa Gatollari

Screenshot of Tiktok user @unclejeffsrecords; Photo of a Walmart exterior; Photo of a woman looking through vinyl records

‘Looks like I’m not buying vinyl at Walmart anymore’: Shopper goes to music section of Walmart. Then he notices this security feature on the vinyls

Nina Hernandez is a writer, journalist, music critic, and culture commentator based in Austin, Texas.

Nina Hernandez

2 panel image: on the left is the exterior of an Applebee's restaurant and on the right is a restaurant table, text over: Brought her to Applebees for our first date to see if she was going to be embarrassed

‘I started our relationship with manipulation as a way to test her’: Man takes date to Applebee’s to see if she’ll be ‘embarrassed.’ Then she pulls out a Buzzballz

Beau Paul is a freelance writer from Austin, Texas. Beau also wrote narrative and dialog for the gaming industry for several years before becoming an entertainment journalist.

Beau Paul

Roku Tv Box(l) Roku Logo In front of building(c) woman shares tv sizes are not matching(r)

‘This whole time. Every TV that you get’: Woman buys 50-inch Roku TV. Then her man pulls out the measuring tape

Gisselle Hernandez is a freelance journalist based in Belize, where she writes travel and internet culture pieces. She enjoys watching anime, playing video games, and covering all things TikTok.

Gisselle Hernandez

Scrolling in the Deep: Type Shii

Summer Neylon is a freelance writer, bartender, and pastry chef. She graduated from Florida State University, where she studied English and music. She wrote species profiles and educational programs for kids at Florida Fish and Wildlife. In her free time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, reading, cooking, and playing &#8216;Zelda: Breath of the Wild.&#8217;

Summer Neylon

‘Whoever is in charge…need to be fired’: McDonald’s worker issues warning to those who order fries after exposing fry station

Melody Heald is a culture writer. Her work can be found in Glitter Magazine, BUST Magazine, and more.

Melody Heald

Walmart Store Front(l) Pointing at Canon Camera(r)

‘Hidden clearance’: Walmart shopper finds $479 Canon camera that ringing up for only $18

Makalah Wright has written articles for various publications based on mental health, relationships, and Gen Z-related topics. She is currently a senior at the University of West Georgia, where she studies public relations and music. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, shopping, traveling to new places, and playing the clarinet.

Makalah Wright

Left: Screenshot from @aliena.215's of a rectangular patch on her wall; Center: Photo of Tiktok user @aliena.215; Right: @aliena.215 pulling off the patch on her wall to reveal a hole.

‘And it’s one from the Dollar Tree’: Woman peels off the ‘landlord special’ from her wall. Then she sees what it’s hiding

woman buys tortilla chips(l) Tortilla chips overflowing from bowl(c) Calidad Tortilla Chips in store(r)

‘Buy a cheap pack of corn tortillas and make your own at that point’: Shopper reaches for Calidad tortilla chips. Then she looks at the package

Stacy Fernández is a freelance writer, project manager and communications specialist. She’s worked at The Texas Tribune, The Dallas Morning News and run social for The Education Trust New York. Her favorite hobby is finding hidden gems at the thrift store, she loves a good audio book and is a chocolate enthusiast.

Stacy Fernandez

‘The employees are keeping those for ourselves’: Dollar Tree customer asks worker for new product. Then she learns the workers are ‘hoarding’ them

Rachel Kiley is a writer who sometimes writes things and sometimes is based in L.A., but is definitely always on Twitter @rachelkiley.

Rachel Kiley

‘Sam’s Club will cut it for you if you ask’: Man buys chuck roll at Sam’s Club for $124.87. Then he shows just how many steaks he can get from it

Ljeonida is a reporter and writer with a degree in journalism and communications from the University of Tirana in her native Albania. She has a particular interest in all things digital marketing; she considers herself a copywriter, content producer, SEO specialist, and passionate marketer. Ljeonida is based in Tbilisi, Georgia.

Ljeonida Mulabazi

Ford Edge SUV(l) Ford Sign(r) Woman shares reasons why her ford isn't working(r)

‘It needs $10,000 of repairs’: Woman says her 2013 Ford Edge is beyond saving. Then she reveals why she can’t just buy another model year

Brooke Sjoberg is a freelance writer who graduated with her Bachelors in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin in 2020.

Brooke Sjoberg

‘There’s no comparison’: Costco shopper spots $69 strip loin steak. Then he reveals he paid $26 ‘for the same thing’ the day before

Sabrina McCrear was a trending intern for the Daily Dot. A senior at Howard University, she’s majoring in journalism with a minor in biology, combining her passions for storytelling and healthcare advocacy. As editor-in-chief of Howard’s 101 Magazine, McCrear leads the charge in producing dynamic, engaging content. She’s written consumer advice pieces on maternal health, fetal well-being, and preventive medicine. Dedicated to amplifying diverse voices, she’s paving the way for a future in healthcare communication and advocacy.

Sabrina McCrear

Cart on plane with text "pov you're flying spirit airlines and water costs $4.89 so the people in front of you have the genius idea *redacted*"(l), Woman talking(c), Spirit airplane(r)

‘Then everyone on the plane starts doing it’: Water on a Spirit Airlines flight costs $4.89. Then customers use this unique trick to get it for free

Lindsey is a Seattle area writer interested in all things society, including internet culture, politics, and mental health. Outside of the Daily Dot, her work can be found in publications such as The Mary Sue, Truthout, and YES! Magazine.

Lindsey Weedston

three panel design with a man looking off into the distance, next to an image of a war scene from a video game with text reading "How the great YTshorts colonization will feel like", next to an image of a man doing a salute.

TikTok