North Sea takes over TikTok with #NorthSea: Chilling trend makes waves with unsettling vibes

The 'North Sea' trend has become a viral sensation on TikTok, causing confusion and unease among users as videos showcasing the sea's immense waves gain popularity. 

The North Sea, bordered by Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, has become the focal point of eerie, slow-motion videos set to an ominous remix of "Hoist the Colors" from Pirates of the Caribbean. 

These videos often depict large waves crashing onto container ships, paired with high winds and the soundtrack amplifying the eerie atmosphere.

The trend, known as "NorthSeaTok," targets users with thalassophobia (fear of deep water) and cymophobia (fear of waves). TikTok user @ukdestinations appears to have popularised the trend, sharing educational videos about the UK and emphasising the North Sea as "the most treacherous sea in the world." 

Despite the trend leaving viewers with a sense of discomfort, experts clarify that the North Sea, while capable of producing high waves, is not as menacing as portrayed in the videos.

The #NorthSea hashtag has garnered over 1.4 billion views on TikTok, with videos showcasing the sea's turbulent moments accumulating millions of views. 

Viewers express a range of emotions from fear and distress to disbelief, with some jokingly linking shipping mishaps to their delayed packages. While the North Sea trend sparks discomfort, it highlights the power of social media to captivate audiences with chilling content.