What Does “Red Flag” Mean on TikTok?

TikTok users are frequently developing their own slang, acronyms and terms that may confuse everyone else. While this is a great way to form unique identities online, it can also create a barrier between TikTok veterans and new users. Nevertheless, these words and expressions provide TikTok with a diverse and vibrant culture that reflects the creativity of its users. 

Moreover, TikTok slangs have an added advantage in that they can make complicated topics easier to discuss without getting into long-winded or technical explanations – so they can be seen as a way for crowds of TikTok to connect around ideas more quickly. With all of these benefits combined, it is clear why TikTok users so naturally come up with current and modern expressions for use within the app.

One term that users on TikTok have come up with is the term “Red Flag”. However, unlike what it sounds like, the term has nothing to do with a red colored flag.

Read on to find out what the term “Red Flag” means on social media.

What Does “Red Flag” Mean on TikTok

The term Red Flag on TikTok has nothing to do with any flags. It is used to signal what a user may find to be a warning sign about a person.

A red flag is traditionally used to warn people of danger. The military often uses a red colored flag in order to warn people when they are conducting live fire exercises. Shooting ranges use a red flag in order to warn people when a shooting range is in use. A red flag is used in a race when the conditions are too dangerous to continue the race. 

TikTok users have appropriated this term for when they notice traits or qualities in people that they deem as dangerous.

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In which condition do people say “Red Flag” on Social Media

Users on social media often use the term red flag when they are warning people about looking out for certain behaviors that may indicate undesirable qualities in people that they associate with. This is often used in subjects involving romance and relationships. The logic behind it is that while most people pretend to be better than they are in order to have a better chance of charming their potential partner, there are some behaviors that they will do which can be indicators of undesirable qualities. 

For example, something that most users consider a red flag is if a person treats a retail worker harshly or needlessly abuses them, as it signifies a tendency to be abusive. 

While the term is often used to signify undesirable qualities that one should watch out for, it does have humorous connotations as well. In fact, the term Red Flag has inspired a trend amongst TikTok users.

The Red Flag Trend on TikTok

This trend has become quite popular on Instagram. Users often use a filter that generates random qualities that are largely considered undesirable. Some of these flags can be nonsensical things like “Sleeps with socks on” or “Puts ketchup on fries”. These are often humorous and mockingly self deprecating in nature. People caption these videos as, “The reason why I am single” or “Why I have no friends”, jokingly indicating that these red flags are the reasons why they do not have a partner or friends. 

How is Red Flag used on Social Media

People may use the term red flag in a serious way to warn others of undesirable qualities or in a humorous way as a joke.

• Y: I don’t trust him. He has too many red flags.
• H: She was quite rude with the waiter. That is definitely a red flag. 
• Q: My red flag is that I often sleep during calls.
• O: That person is a walking red flag. Please avoid them.

What other slang has TikTok Generated?

TikTok users have created a lot of slang that they use frequently in order to communicate with each other. Here are some other slangs that they use frequently:

1. DNI: Do Not Interact
2. LMS: Like My Status
3. Abow: Used in lieu of Damn or Wow
4. Lit: Cool/Amazing
5. NP: No Problem

Example of “Red Flag” Meaning on Social Media

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