Why Brainrot Takes Over TikTok: The 3-Billion-View Trend Captivating Kids Worldwide
A surreal storm called Brainrot is sweeping through TikTok, racking up over 3 billion views and turning kids’ summer feeds into a bizarre digital playground. From Ballerina Cappuccina, a ballerina with a cappuccino cup for a head, to Bombardiro Crocodillo, a crocodile fused with a military bomber, the trend showcases strange, AI-generated characters and nonsensical soundbites that vanish as quickly as they appear.
This viral wave, often tagged as #italianBrainrot, first gained traction in early 2025 with the appearance of Trallallero Trallallà — a TikTok rhyme accompanied by a three-legged shark in Nike sneakers. Since then, dozens of absurd new characters have emerged, turning Brainrot into a chaotic meme universe.
Romanian creator Susanu Sava-Tudor, 24, developed the viral Ballerina Cappuccina in March. The original video has surpassed 45 million views and 3.8 million likes. He describes the trend as “surrealist humor” rooted more in cinematic myths of Italy than actual culture. So why are kids so hooked?
According to Italian animator Fabian Mosele, Brainrot is the latest in nonsense-driven memes. “The joke is that there is no joke,” he said. The trend is a form of creative rebellion, combining AI tools, over-the-top Italian-American accents, and pure weirdness that baffles adults but delights younger users.
The appeal is also in its exclusivity — kids feel like they’re in on a secret parents can’t decode. Therapist Cheryl Eskin likens Brainrot to “digital cotton candy” — fast, funny, chaotic, and deeply stimulating. But she cautions that constant exposure may overstimulate young minds, impacting attention and mood. Beyond the screen, Brainrot has leaked into real life. Teachers report students doodling Brainrot characters, shouting names like “Cappuccina” in hallways, and roleplaying scenarios. As with the Skibidi Toilet phenomenon before it, Brainrot is becoming embedded in Gen Alpha’s daily language.
Should parents be worried? Not necessarily. Eskin advises parents to stay curious rather than critical. “Ask your child what they love about it — don’t judge. That connection is your superpower.” She recommends screen time boundaries to prevent overload, while still encouraging creativity.
Ultimately, Brainrot isn’t just random chaos — it’s a grassroots, global, AI-powered folk culture. Loud, weird, and defiantly unserious, it’s exactly why kids can’t get enough.
