The Brief: The purse challenge on TikTok typically consists of a creator sitting in a car and pranking the person sitting next to them by moving a purse from the backseat to the front seat and back again, hitting them in the process.
DEEP DIVE
The purse challenge is also known as the backseat challenge on TikTok. It is marked by creators sitting in a car and filming a prank on the person sitting next to them. They move an item, usually a purse, from the back seat to the front seat and back again, hitting the other person two times in the process. Creators make sure to capture the other person’s reaction on camera.
It is unclear who created the trend, but these videos grew in popularity on TikTok around May 14. The trend initially consisted of girlfriends pranking their boyfriends and hitting them with their large purses twice.
@vibeswithlouis
That trend quickly evolved, and soon, teens were attempting the prank their family members, too.
@naenae3693 He’s always getting in my way…smh #siblings #fyp #foryou #brotherandsister
@jayannamariee tried this on my brother and i was weeaak😂😭 #pursechallenge #fyp #xyzbca #foryou #trending #tiktokwellness
@schoollunchtray i’m not gonna post this don’t worry mom 😍 #foryou #foryoupage #skincareroutine
@bradbeall Legend has it my pants are still soaked… 🤦🏻♂️ #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #familystorytime #inyourface #backseatchallenge
I risked my life for this TikTok challenge 😭🤣🤣🤣🤣#PurseChallenge pic.twitter.com/vH4DYTaccd
— YouTube: Fatou & Chychy (@_chychyx) May 23, 2020
Creators have also swapped their purses for other items. Creator @Lovesoreal, hit her significant other with her butt instead.
@lovesoreal He thought I was gonna get him with the purse but I had a better idea 💀🤣 #backseatchallenge #hitintheface #pursechallenge #prank #gotem #foryou #fyp