Petty theft in schools is not new. However, a new trend that has since gone viral on social media is inspiring children to steal the zipper pulls of Nike backpacks.
The trend, being referred to as the "Nike Elite Zipper Trend," first emerged in TikTok. This trend involves young people stealing the zipper pulls from their classmates' Nike backpacks. Other videos have also shown kids removing the zippers from bags in stores.
It is unclear how the trend began. The trend has turned the zipper pulls into a status symbol, and it is fast gaining popularity among school students. Some TikTok users have even posted videos showing their hauls.
What Kids Do with the Zipper Pulls
Apart from posting clout-seeking videos, some kids who stole zippers from Nike backpacks resorted to reselling the pulls for a few bucks. However, some have marked up the pulls, selling each piece for up to $40, according to the New York Post, citing comments on some TikTok videos.
For context, a Nike Elite backpack retails for $87.
What Are Some Preventive Measures?
The trend has gone so viral that one store with shelves fully stocked with the Nike Elite backpacks all had missing zipper pulls, per a video posted on the platform.
Some students have resorted to double knotting or supergluing their zipper pulls onto their backpacks. Others have also removed the ties and replaced them with other types of cords. TikTok users also claimed some schools have issued an email warning about the trend. Parent Herald cannot independently verify the authenticity of the claims.
Teens targeting the brand is not surprising. Nike ranks as the top brand among teens, according to a May report from PR firm DKC.
The backpack trend follows the Stanley Cup trend. That trend saw students swarming peers who owned the $45 insulated mug, which was also treated as a status symbol. In other TikTok videos, students showed off their collections, with some owning dozens of the tumblers.
Furthermore, there were reports of people resorting to physical violence outside Target locations in the hopes of getting their hands on one of the special-edition Stanley Cups.
