A viral trend encouraging friends and family to reveal each other's secrets has captured the attention of millions on social media.
The "Suspect Challenge" has taken TikTok and Instagram by storm. It typically features duos -- often couples, best friends, or even parent-child pairs -- pretending to give police-style descriptions of each other while comically running away - slowly.
However, this challenge isn't for the faint-hearted. Participants are not holding back, openly airing each other's "dirty laundry." Newsweek spoke to one couple from Ottawa, Canada, whose TikTok video has amassed 1.3 million views.
Katie Dodge, 27, known online as @wholesomefoodbykatie, kicks off the video by teasing her partner, Gabriel Laurin, 29, for being nearly 30 and still having 80 percent of his clothes bought by his mom. Laurin then takes the camera, adding: "Suspect would rather read her Kindle than have sex with her boyfriend." Dodge, who works in the public service sector, fires back by noting that her electrician boyfriend "can't work a laptop."
The playful jabs continue as Laurin accuses Dodge of constantly talking about minor injuries or illnesses, to which Dodge responds by pointing out that he spent $2,000 on a bike for an ironman competition, but hasn't used it in two years.
Dodge told Newsweek: "I think that the ability to laugh at yourself and poke fun at each other is positive and healthy in general."
We also spoke to psychotherapist Eloise Skinner about the clip captioned: "A little couples therapy."
Indeed, this trend can benefit couples and could draw them closer together, London-based Skinner explained.
"It might foster a deeper sense of connection around themes of identity/belonging, since the trend draws on knowing intimate details about the other person," she said. "However, for couples who might already face challenges in the fundamental aspects of their relationship (trust, respect, dignity, communication, etc.), the trend might exacerbate existing issues - for example, if one person feels like they were unfairly criticized, or takes the 'roast' as a more personal commentary on their sense of self."
Some viewers may consider this couple's video to be tame, as other entries have taken the challenge to new extremes. For instance, American model Emily Ratajkowski joined in and earned 5.8 million views on Instagram.
In her video, she runs alongside her best friend, who takes a jab at Ratajkowski's exes -- rumored to include Pete Davidson and Brad Pitt, as reported by People magazine. Her friend quips: "Suspect thinks her boyfriend is actually hot this time," referencing Ratajkowski's rumored partner, country star Shaboozey.
Not one to stay quiet, Ratajkowski counters with a bombshell, revealing her friend "claimed to be vegan for years to cover up an eating disorder."
"Damn, y'all really went for it!" said one user on the clip that has over 131,000 likes.
Skinner, who is also an author, explained that sharing personal information online can be beneficial for creators - in more ways that one.
She told Newsweek: "For many people, there is a very human desire to share with others - perhaps for validation or attention, or to develop a sense of connection with others, or simply for reducing the feeling of having to conceal information or details from others in our daily lives.
"The online world can serve as a form of release, allowing us to share without the direct consequences of sharing with a person in our everyday lives.
"Sharing personal information online might also help us find solidarity - if we can identify with others who share our experiences, we can feel less alone, and more closely aligned with a particular community.
"In terms of social media specifically, the instant feedback (in the form of engagement) can make us feel a sense of excitement or fulfilment."