What Are Boner Bears? The Viral TikTok Trend Explained

What Are Boner Bears?

Boner bears are a viral trend that started on TikTok in late 2022. They are small stuffed teddy bears that have a distinctive " bulge" in the crotch area, making them appear to have permanent erections or "boners." The trend began when TikTok user @auditydraws started posting videos of their handmade boner bear creations, which quickly went viral.

The Origins of Boner Bears on TikTok

@auditydraws, an artist on TikTok, is credited with creating the original boner bears. In October 2022, they posted a video showcasing their small hand-sewn teddy bears that had exaggerated crotch bulges. The video immediately went viral, racking up over 3 million views. @auditydraws then began selling their boner bear creations on Etsy under the name "Boner Bear."

The initial video sparked a wave of boner bear content on TikTok. Other users started posting reaction videos, memes, and sketches featuring the humorous bears. #BonerBears quickly became a popular hashtag, with over 180 million views and counting. As the trend grew, many TikTokers began making and selling their own boner bear designs to meet the demand.

Why Did Boner Bears Go Viral?

There are a few factors that contributed to boner bears becoming a viral sensation:

• The absurdity and humor of a stuffed animal with a permanent erection.
• The creativity of designing different boner bear styles and characters.
• The perfect alignment with TikTok's young demographic who appreciate edgy internet humor.
• The trend coincided with No Nut November, inspiring memes about surviving the month with a boner bear.
• The DIY nature of making unique boner bears tapped into TikTok's maker culture.

Overall, the boner bears' humorous take on internet rule 34 - "if it exists there is porn of it" - resonated with Gen Z audiences. Their irreverent nature also inspired funny sketches and jokes that fueled the viral spread.

Notable Boner Bear Creations

As boner bears exploded on TikTok, popular accounts emerged showcasing unique and hilarious designs:

• @auditydraws - The original boner bear creator selling handmade bears on Etsy.
• @kandicandlesbyerin - Makes boner bear candles with phallic wicks.
• @zachbrodie - Creates boner bear costumes for dogs.
• @runawayrockstar - Films comedy sketches with naughty boner bears.
• @strangelykels - Designs risque Valentine's Day boner bears.

Some TikTokers even made enormous life-size boner bear costumes, terrifying yet amusing viewers. Custom and personalized boner bears also became popular gifts and artworks commissioned by fans of the trend.

Selling Boner Bears

The viral hype around boner bears created a lucrative business opportunity for TikTok creators. Sellers opened online shops on Etsy, eBay, and other platforms to meet demand. Some turned boner bear production into a full-time job, hiring teams to handle orders.

Crafters also got creative with boner bear merch beyond just stuffed animals. Popular products include:

• Stickers and magnets
• T-shirts and hoodies
• Mugs and water bottles
• Plush backpacks and wallets
• Phone cases
• Pins and patches

Boner bear NFTs (non-fungible tokens) also emerged, allowing buyers to own exclusive digital boner bears. Some sellers made 5 to 6 figures in revenue during the peak boner bear demand before Christmas 2022.

Controversy and Concerns

While many found boner bears hilarious, the trend did spark some controversy and debate. Some critics argued the bears promoted "rape culture" and the sexualization of minors. Children's rights advocates also voiced concern about the presence of adult themes on a youth-dominated platform like TikTok.

In response, TikTok banned searches for "boner bear" in December 2022 to limit the trend's reach for younger users. Some boner bear sellers also imposed age restrictions on purchases. Despite some backlash, most fans ultimately viewed the trend as an absurdist joke rather than anything serious or nefarious.

Decline of the Boner Bear Craze

Like most viral fads, the boner bear phenomenon cooled off after reaching a peak in late 2022. Demand declined after the holidays as audiences moved onto new 2023 trends. However, boner bears remain popular novelty gifts and collectibles for Gen Z audiences. The #BonerBears hashtag also continues circulating on TikTok with newly posted content.

While no longer the latest viral obsession, boner bears made a significant cultural impact. They reflected Gen Z's avant-garde sense of humor and proved the power of TikTok to createStamped from the beginning book moment overnight sensations. Boner bears also gave independent artists and creators visibility and income by catering directly to the viral demand. As a memorable chapter of online pop culture, boner bears won't be going flaccid anytime soon.

FAQs

Who created the first boner bear?

The original boner bear was created by TikTok user @auditydraws, who posted the first viral video showcasing their handmade stuffed animals with exaggerated crotch bulges in October 2022.

Where can I buy a boner bear?

Boner bears became popular products on sites like Etsy, eBay and E-Commerce stores. Many TikTok creators sell their own boner bear designs online. You can also find boner bear merch like t-shirts, mugs, and phone cases.

Are boner bears offensive?

Some critics argued boner bears promoted "rape culture", while others saw the trend as harmless absurdist humor. Most fans viewed boner bears as a joke, but some concerns were raised about the sexualized nature of the stuffed animals.

Did boner bears get banned from TikTok?

TikTok prohibited searches for "boner bear" in December 2022 to limit the trend's reach to younger audiences. However, boner bear videos and products remain available.

What led to the rise and fall of boner bears?

The humor and absurdity resonated with Gen Z audiences, fueling boner bears to go viral. Popularity peaked around November-December 2022. While demand declined post-holidays, boner bears remain a notable TikTok subculture.