A Global Crisis? Concerns About Costume Ideas and Keshali Mix

This week, following Israel’s preemptive strike on Iran, a wave of anxiety reminiscent of World War II swept through platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X. People were joking about military drafts, panic surges, and, well, memes that felt a bit too real.

According to Google trends, the phrase “US going to war” surged by around 5,000% this week, alongside nearly a 2,000% increase in searches for “World War I.”

Yet, the social media vibe isn’t quite what one might expect—it’s less about “duck and cover” and more about the absurdity of the situation.

One popular TikTok video, which has almost 10 million views, features a line of helicopters while Kesha’s “Blow” plays in the background. Captions like “WDYM WW3 has begun?” and “What does it mean that WW3 has begun?” punctuate the chaos.

The comments reflect a somewhat flippant attitude: “Would this affect my order?” and “I wanted summer sparkle, not summer explosions.”

Since the beginning of missile strikes between the two nations on June 13, TikTok videos labeled as “WW3” have attracted millions of viewers.

Another viral post showcased a camouflage-inspired costume with the caption, “WW3 costume ideas.”

The chaos intensified when a social media account, seemingly linked to Iranian state media, ominously warned, “Everyone will feel that.”

One TikTok user cleverly quipped about leading ChatGPT into combat, attracting over 130,000 likes as draft jokes proliferated on the platform.

Infamous phrases from the @iriran_military handle spread like wildfire, igniting speculation and humor among users.

Another TikToker stated emphatically, “TF meant Iran in the sense that ‘everyone feels it’,” racking up over a million likes before being taken down.

While the memes may lean towards the ridiculous, the underlying anxiety is evident.

Content about war prep appears more like a trend than a real threat, with TikTok users showcasing everything from war costumes to camouflage accessories.

Threads on Reddit have seen a surge of users expressing their nervousness, asking questions like “Is WW3 happening slowly?” and “Do you think World War III is a real possibility?”

One post on X stated bluntly, “WW3 just started,” gathering 21 million views and comments like “Shouldn’t everything go back?”

Another user on Instagram remarked, “I’m trying to enjoy today before WW3 is around the corner,” paired with a screenshot of Sidney Sweeney from *Euphoria* looking distressed.

A satirical fake Iranian tweet claiming “Everyone feels that” has become a viral sensation, earning over 100 million views and causing a stir on TikTok.

For some, this feels eerily similar to the panic during 2020, when fears of World War III resurfaced after the US targeted Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani.

Gen Z, as they often do, has turned this looming threat into viral content.

One notable post captured it well: “When you see Gen Z dealing with the potential of World War III, remember how we handle it—through memes.” Or as another person remarked, “We didn’t really mean ‘this summer’ to be a bomb.”