Why the Italian Brainrot Trend Isn’t as Harmless as It Seems
Why Parents Should Pause Before Laughing at the “Italian Brainrot” Trend
If your child has suddenly started blurting out random words like “Tralalero Tralala” or talking about cappuccino ballerinas and crocodile planes — you’re not alone. These phrases are part of a viral trend called Italian Brainrot. It’s all over TikTok and YouTube Shorts, and while it might sound like innocent nonsense, there’s more going on beneath the surface.
What is Italian Brainrot?
Italian Brainrot is a meme trend featuring wacky, AI-generated characters (like a three-legged shark in Nike shoes or a crocodile fused with a bomber plane), paired with a sing-song voice that sounds vaguely Italian. Kids love repeating the silly catchphrases and watching the fast-paced, colourful videos — they’re chaotic, funny, and feel harmless.
Ballarino Cappuccino
Why Has This Trend Exploded?
There’s a reason why Italian Brainrot has captured the attention of so many young people — and it’s not just the funny voices.
Experts suggest that during uncertain or stressful times, people (especially kids and teens) are drawn to weird, chaotic, and nonsensical content as a form of escapism. It offers a moment of relief from the real world — a way to switch off and laugh at something completely absurd.
Trends like this also:
- Feel like an inside joke – if you get it, you’re part of the club.
- Give kids a sense of control – by repeating phrases or sharing memes, they’re driving the joke.
- Flood feeds fast – with catchy visuals, rapid edits and AI-generated characters, it’s designed to be watched, rewatched, and shared.
But while the silliness might seem like harmless fun, it’s important to pause and consider what’s being normalised underneath the surface — especially when the humour hides language that’s offensive, violent, or discriminatory.
The problem? Some of these videos aren’t harmless at all.
Hidden Messages: What Some Characters Really Say
Here are a few examples that show how the trend isn’t always what it seems:
Tralalero Tralala
This three-legged shark in Nikes seems silly, but the Italian audio actually includes swearing at God and Allah. It’s a form of blasphemy hidden in a catchy rhyme.
Bombardiro Crocodilo
A crocodile-bomber plane hybrid, this one includes disturbing lines about bombing children in Palestine and hating religion. It turns real-world violence into a joke.
Tung Tung Tung Sahur
This one mimics the sound made in Muslim communities to wake up for fasting during Ramadan. Some viewers say the character and chant make fun of Islamic traditions.
Most kids don’t realise what these videos actually say — and that’s exactly why they’re risky. Laughing along or sharing them can spread ideas we wouldn’t normally agree with.
How to Talk to Your Child About It
Start with curiosity, not criticism. Try:
- “That’s a funny-sounding phrase — do you know where it comes from?”
- “Want to watch it together? Let’s figure out what it means.”
Then explain simply:
“Some of these videos sound silly, but they secretly say things that are rude or hurtful — especially about people’s beliefs or backgrounds. Even if we don’t mean to, repeating them can still hurt others.”
And:
“Being kind online means thinking about how what we share or repeat might make others feel — even if it was meant as a joke.”
This is a great chance to build digital awareness and empathy. Encourage your child to be the kind of person who thinks before they share.
Final Thought
We don’t need to panic about every trend — but we do need to stay informed. Italian Brainrot is a perfect example of how online content can seem funny on the outside, but carry messages that aren’t OK.
By staying curious and having regular conversations with our kids, we help them become confident digital citizens who know how to spot what’s respectful — and what’s not.
