Quote from Alex bobby on May 10, 2025, 6:13 AM

Blog Article: "The Dark Side of Viral Fame: TikTok Video Sparks Outrage After Live Crabs Cooked in Air Fryer"

A disturbing TikTok video showing live crabs being cooked in an air fryer has triggered widespread backlash, reigniting concerns about animal cruelty in the age of social media. The video, which began like any other upbeat recipe tutorial, quickly took a grim turn—leaving many users horrified and calling for stronger content moderation.

The now-viral video, created by a TikTok user named Chels, begins innocuously enough with a cheerful narration: “Y’all, let’s make a crab boil in the air fryer…” Viewers watch as potatoes and corn are added to the bowl of a glass air fryer. But then, two live Maryland blue crabs are tossed in, doused in seasoning, and cooked at 400°F (200°C) for 15 minutes—while visibly alive.

What might have been intended as a quirky cooking hack quickly drew ire across the internet. “How is that not a community guideline violation? I feel like I just watched a crime,” said one user, @werty1627, whose reaction video has also gone viral. Comment sections and stitches (video remixes) have since exploded with criticism, ranging from disgust to calls for platform accountability.

Do Crabs Feel Pain?

Many viewers may be unaware that crabs, despite being invertebrates, have nervous systems capable of processing pain. Josh Cottle, an anatomy teacher and popular science creator on TikTok, weighed in: “This is terribly inhumane. Crabs […] have nociceptors just like you and have demonstrated avoidance behaviour from pain.”

Indeed, research from the University of Gothenburg in 2024 confirmed that shore crabs send painful stimuli to their brains, further validating the belief that crustaceans can experience suffering. These findings challenge the perception that cooking crustaceans alive is acceptable, especially in the age of transparency where users can witness it happening in real-time through “glass-walled” appliances.

Spectacle Over Ethics

The viral nature of Chels’ video underscores a troubling trend: the increasing use of animal cruelty as viral content fodder. Paul McCartney once said, “If slaughterhouses had glass walls, everyone would be vegetarian.” Yet here we are—watching a glass air fryer become the slaughterhouse and viewers reacting with horror, but not necessarily with action.

While the outrage was loud and clear, few declared any commitment to change their consumption habits. Instead, the incident reveals a broader truth: social media often monetises cruelty. Rage-bait content—designed to provoke strong emotional responses—tends to perform well. Algorithms don’t differentiate between outrage and applause. Views are views.

The Rise of Online Animal Abuse

The Chels incident isn’t isolated. According to a 2024 report from the UK Safer Internet Centre, there’s been a significant increase in reported cases of animal abuse on social media platforms. The RSPCA’s Kindness Index supports this, with 43% of 16- to 17-year-olds in England and Wales reporting having seen cruelty online.

A recent case from the U.S. adds to the growing concern. An American woman, Anigar Monsee, was found guilty of four charges of aggravated animal cruelty. Her videos—posted to gain likes and followers—showed her harming animals, including a chicken, in real-time while soliciting views.

Upper Darby Police Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt noted, “Once she gets to the point where she is satisfied with the number of viewers, she then proceeds to harm and ultimately kill that chicken.” The incident highlights how easily social media can incentivise violence under the guise of content creation.

Legal Loopholes for Crustaceans

In the United States, crabs and other invertebrates fall outside the scope of federal animal cruelty statutes, such as the Animal Welfare Act. This legal gap makes prosecutions for cruelty to crustaceans nearly impossible.

In contrast, the European Union has taken more proactive steps. EU animal welfare laws have increasingly recognised the sentience of crustaceans. Countries like Switzerland and Norway have banned practices like boiling lobsters alive without stunning. While EU Regulation (EC) No 338/97 doesn't cover every case, it represents a more progressive stance than that of the U.S.

A Call for Accountability

As of now, Chels—who has become known online as the “glass air fryer crab lady”—has not commented publicly on the backlash. Despite viewer protests, her video remains on the platform, racking up millions of views.

TikTok’s guidelines prohibit content that “depicts harm to animals,” yet enforcement appears inconsistent. Critics argue that unless platforms begin applying their policies with more rigor, we will continue to see these shock-value videos proliferate.

While the video has raised awareness of animal sentience, it has also shown how far society still has to go in treating animals—crustacean or otherwise—as beings capable of suffering, not just props for digital entertainment.

Conclusion

This incident serves as a sobering reflection of our times. In an era where views can mean money and fame, ethical lines are being crossed with alarming ease. The spectacle of suffering is becoming part of the entertainment economy, and unless laws evolve and platforms step up, we can expect even more extreme content ahead.

We’re watching more than just viral videos. We’re watching our collective conscience erode—one click at a time.