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TikTok’s ‘paper towel challenge’ is all about revealing hidden messages. Want to try?

Paper towel challenge involves people writing a message in a paper towel and then putting it on water-filled sink

Updated on: Mar 10, 2020, 17:20:19 IST
Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
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Many people are trying TikTok’s paper towel challenge. (TikTok/@jonklaasen)
Many people are trying TikTok’s paper towel challenge. (TikTok/@jonklaasen)

Highlights

Paper towel challenge is the latest TikTok trend

Unlike a few previous trends, it’s completely safe

Several people are taking part in the challenge and sharing videos

TikTok has again dished out a new challenge which has taken over the platform. This time, thankfully, it’s a safe and easy trend that doesn’t end with people causing fires or landing to hospitals. The viral trend is called paper towel challenge.

It involves people writing messages on paper towels and putting them in water. It’s when the towels get wet the secret messages are revealed – and most of them are absolutely hilarious.

Here’s a video which shows how the challenge is done:

@jonklaasen

It’s just a prank babe 😅🥺 @elyssajoy_ ##couplegoals ##couple ##prank ##trend

♬ Originalton - qwestar

If you want to try it then all you need is a paper towel and a marker. Fold the towel in half and write a message on the front. Then pen down the secret message inside the fold. Now when you put it in water the towel gets wet and bam, the secret note gets revealed.

Here’s a clip showing a grandmother hilariously trolling her grandson:

A user took the challenge to send a cautionary message about online dating:

This playful exchange between a brother and his sister is relatable for many:

@nathantriska

the best day of my life 😭

♬ Originalton - qwestar

Someone went a step further to drop a Pikachu-related secret message, and it’s amazing:

When someone tried the challenge but couldn’t do it due to this reason:

Will you take part in the paper towel challenge?

  • Trisha Sengupta
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Trisha Sengupta

    Trisha Sengupta works as Chief Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over six years of experience in the digital newsroom. Known for her ability to decode the internet’s most talked-about moments, she specialises in high-engagement storytelling that bridges the gap between viral trends and traditional journalism. Throughout her tenure, Trisha has focused on the intersection of technology, finance, and human emotion. She frequently covers personal finance and real estate struggles in hubs like Gurgaon, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, while also documenting the unique challenges of the NRI experience. Her work often highlights the movements and philosophies of global newsmakers and personalities like Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Nikhil Kamath, Dubai crown prince, and MrBeast. From reporting on Amazon or Meta layoffs and startup culture to the emergence of AI-driven platforms like Grok and xAI, she provides a grounded and empathetic perspective on the stories shaping our world. When not decoding the internet, Trisha is likely offline: lost in a book, exploring a historical ruin, or navigating the world as a solo traveler. She balances her fast-paced career with family time and a healthy dose of curiosity, currently trading her "human" sources for silicon ones as she masters AI to future-proof her storytelling.Read More

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