What is Skibidi Toilet?

Has your kid ever used the term Skibidi Toilet? Or maybe you’ve seen the videos circulating online of parents asking their kids what it means, and the kids explaining with something along the lines of, “it’s Skibidi Toilet. Skibidi. You know…”

It’s all very confusing. 

So let’s dive in and learn about this term and what it really means.

What Does “Skibidi Toilet” Mean?

Skibidi Toilet is a series of YouTube videos and shorts created by Georgian animator Alexey Gerasimov, known by his YouTube channel, DaFuq!?Boom! 

The series features a dystopian world where bizarre characters are involved in a war. The characters are mobile toilets with human heads emerging from them (the Skibidi Toilets) and humanoids with heads replaced by speakers, cameras, and TVs.

The characters have distorted human features that add to the unsettling nature of the series. In the words of the Skibidi Toilet song, “What the heck is going on?” 

With over 74 episodes, some split into multiple parts, Skibidi Toilet has captured a massive audience. This includes copycats, and bizarrely enough, Skibidi Toilet porngraphy.

(Be aware that you might hear the latter referenced as Skibidi Toilet Rule 34. This is due to a popular internet meme/law known as Rule 34 which says if something exists in real life, there will be a pornographic depiction of it somewhere online.)

The debut episode of Skibidi Toilet, released on February 7, 2023, amassed over 40 million views, and subsequent videos have been equally popular. Currently, “DaFuq!?Boom!” boasts 42 million subscribers and almost 17 billion views in total.

What Does “Skibidi” Mean?

Initially meaningless, “Skibidi” by itself has evolved into a slang term among kids and teens. Depending on the context, it can mean something is “bad” or “cool.” Skibidi is also often used as a gibberish filler word. So use of the word has less to do with its literal meaning and more to do with someone signaling that they are “in” on a trend.

The term “Skibidi” is derived from the sped-up chorus of Timbaland’s song “Give It to Me,” where the lyrics sound like “skibidi.” This song, mashed up with the song “Dom Dom Yes Yes” by Biser King forms the series’ anthem. 

Why is Skibidi Toilet Popular Among Gen Alpha?

Skibidi Toilet resonates particularly with Gen Alpha (those born after 2012) and some younger Gen Z members. 

Younger audiences are often drawn to quirky content, and with its absurd humor and potty jokes, Skibidi Toilet caters to their playful sensibilities. However, Skibidi Toilet stands out for its higher level of violence compared to other silly videos we grew up watching as teens.

The series also taps into familiar media references for Gen Alpha, including popular video games like Fortnite and Apex Legends, making it even more relatable and engaging for them.

Is Skibidi Toilet Appropriate for Children?

Skibidi Toilet’s animation style, dystopian themes, and violent content may be disturbing for some children. The grotesque and surreal nature of the series can be unsettling, though some kids find its sheer absurdity more amusing than frightening.

If your child already has their own device, mobile apps like YouTube Kids can limit exposure to this kind of content. However, be aware that Youtube Kids still has dangers. If this is a concern for you, starting with (or switching to) a kid-safe device could be a better option. 

What is Skibidi Toilet Syndrome?

“Skibidi Toilet syndrome” describes a social media concern about the series’ potential effects on children’s behavior and development. Parents on platforms like Reddit have discussed how their children have become fearful of using toilets after watching the series.

Some critics have called the series a “moral panic,” according to The Guardian.

Advice for Parents

If your child is asking to watch the series because they’ve heard about it from friends, try watching it by yourself to see what you think. What’s right for one family may not be right for another. 

In the event that your child is already watching Skibidi Toilet, monitor their reactions to the series and decide whether it aligns with their comfort levels and values.

If in doubt, restricting access to the series and providing clear explanations about its fictional nature can help mitigate any potential negative effects.

If, like me, you’re confused about the appeal of the series, just remember our generation grew up watching eBaum’s World and being creeped out by Salad Fingers. 

Do you have any other questions about Skibidi Toilet? Leave those below and we’ll try to answer them.