Flash Mobs, Fights and TikTok

There’s a new trend happening in South African malls, and it’s causing quite a stir. It’s called the “meet and greet”, and it involves large groups of teens showing up at malls after seeing a post on TikTok, Instagram or WhatsApp.

At first, it seemed like innocent fun. Teenagers were meeting their online friends and favourite influencers. But recently, things have started getting a bit out of hand.

👀 What Is a “Meet and Greet”?

It’s when someone posts online saying something like, “Let’s all meet at the mall this Saturday at 2pm,” and then hundreds of teens arrive. Most of them just want to hang out, meet people and take videos.

But now some of these gatherings are turning into wild scenes, with fights breaking out and security teams being called in to manage the crowds.

Some of these meet ups have started including actual planned fights. Teenagers are calling it “Fight Night,” and they spread the word on TikTok. At Canal Walk in Cape Town, two girls were filmed fighting while a large group of teens watched and cheered.

It’s not just happening in one place. Similar incidents have been reported at other malls, including V&A Waterfront and Somerset Mall.

🚨 Why Are Malls Concerned?

Shopping malls are public places, but they are not meant to handle large, unplanned crowds of teenagers. These flash mobs can lead to:

• Overcrowding
• Property damage
• Safety risks for shoppers and staff
• Fights and injuries

To deal with the problem, malls have started adding more security and some have put rules in place for minors during the school holidays.

🧠 Why Is This Happening?

Experts believe many teens are simply looking for a sense of connection. Online friendships can feel very real, and meeting those friends in person can be exciting.

The problem is that social media rewards drama. The more shocking a video is, the more attention it gets. That has led to fights and dangerous behaviour being shared online for views and likes.

👨‍👩‍👧 What Can Parents and Communities Do?

• Talk to your kids about what they’re watching and sharing online
• Stay informed about any plans they make for meeting up
• Encourage safe, positive activities during school holidays
• Support youth groups that offer supervised events

✅ The Bottom Line

Most teens just want to have fun and connect with others. That is completely normal. But when meet ups are unplanned or involve violence, they can become unsafe for everyone.

With the help of parents, malls, and communities, these gatherings can be made safer and more positive. If you are planning to meet up with friends, make sure it is done properly, with permission and respect for others.