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The internet is a wonderfully chaotic place. One minute you’re scrolling past cute cat photos, the next you’re staring at a food combo that absolutely shouldn’t exist. And then there are the texts — unfiltered, unhinged, and often shared without a second thought.

Today, we dove into the depths of r/TrashyText to find texts of all kinds: messages, notes, screenshots, and conversations that are equal parts questionable and hilarious. Keep scrolling to see the ones that left people doing a double take.

#1

That's Some Bad News

Text message exchange showing confusing and surprising texts that made people pause and reread messages.

GeminiVeuns Report

Bani Daniell
Community Member
Premium
2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone follows directions well.

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    #2

    So I Have This Friend On Instagram

    Instagram post showing a humorous text about hiding an EBT card and teeth, illustrating confusing and funny posts.

    lifeingotham Report

    Sarah
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What’s EBT card? I don’t get it

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    #3

    Trashy Boyfriend, Trashy Stranger

    Text message exchange showing confusing texts and posts that made people pause, reread, and scratch their heads.

    Spinundrum Report

    Zephyr
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Imagine stealing from your child and it's mother

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    Globally, the internet has become everyone’s favorite hangout spot. Billions of people log on daily to scroll, post, comment, and share just about everything. From memes and life updates to oddly specific opinions, the online world never sleeps. Social media alone has pulled in a massive chunk of the global population. That means nearly everyone has a digital footprint now, whether they realize it or not. With so many voices online, things can get entertaining fast. But they can also get messy just as quickly.

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    #4

    Not Good News

    Screenshot of a confusing social media post where someone questions the meaning of testing positive.

    destrovel_H Report

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    #6

    I Hate Being A Mother

    Screenshot of a confusing text post expressing frustration about motherhood, matching curious texts that made people pause.

    HoxleyD Report

    Sue Denham
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even if you do feel like that never say/write/type it. Imagine if your child discovers it.

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    With so many people online at the same time, using the internet responsibly has become more important than ever. Governments and platforms are starting to step in to set boundaries, especially for younger users. In Australia, for example, kids under 16 are now banned from using major social media platforms. New accounts can’t be created, and existing ones are being shut down. It’s the first rule of its kind and has caught the attention of countries worldwide. The goal is to create a safer digital space. Whether it works long-term remains to be seen, but the conversation has definitely started.

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    #7

    Any Of You Ever Been To Harrison, Arkansas?

    Roadside signs with confusing and controversial text prompting people to pause, reread, and scratch their heads.

    destrovel_H Report

    #8

    My Hometown, Everyone

    Confusing social media post questioning how a teacher that doesn't speak English was hired, causing people to pause and reread.

    co_lund Report

    Woof Yo
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Excellent example of "irony is dead"

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    #9

    She's 19 With 5 Kids

    Screenshot of a confusing text post about signing paperwork to get fixed and no more babies, causing readers to pause and reread.

    destrovel_H Report

    Child of the Stars
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And this, ladies and gentlemen, is exhibit A on why we need a) science-based s.e.x ed and b) unrestricted access to abortion and bodily autonomy for women.

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    According to officials, these rules aim to reduce the harmful effects of social media’s addictive design. Many platforms are built to keep users scrolling endlessly, often pushing content that isn’t great for mental health. For young people especially, this can affect confidence, mood, and overall wellbeing. The concern isn’t just screen time, but the type of content being consumed. Endless comparison, unrealistic standards, and viral negativity can take a toll. Slowing that cycle is the hope behind these changes. It’s a reminder that online life can have real-world effects.

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    #10

    Cousin Lovin

    Couple sharing confusing and puzzling text messages and photos that made people pause and reread their post online.

    destrovel_H Report

    #11

    Who's The Dad?

    Pregnancy test showing positive result paired with a confusing social media post about wondering who the dad is.

    magnetometers Report

    #12

    Oldest Kid Turns 14, Becomes A Mom The Next Day

    Social media text post with a surprising comment that makes people pause and reread, sparking confusion and curiosity.

    destrovel_H Report

    BeesEelsAndPups
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A pregnant 13 year old? How is that funny in any way? This baby and teenage momma need protective services

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    On an individual level, posting responsibly matters just as much. It’s easy to hit “send” or “post” without thinking twice. But once something is online, it can spread far beyond your control. Before sharing, it helps to pause and think about the impact. Is it misleading, harmful, or discriminatory in any way? Could it affect someone else negatively? Even jokes can land badly in the wrong context. A little extra thought can save a lot of trouble later.

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    #13

    You Doctors Don't Know. Nerds

    Confusing social media text conversation about parenting advice that made people pause and reread.

    destrovel_H Report

    Zephyr
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is how kids die........ From the deliberate ignorance of their parents

    Kay C
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And just because you can breed doesn't mean you can parent

    Sally Moen
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pediatrician went to school for many years and then residency, which is essentially apprenticeship doctor for years after, but parents don't have to take parenting classes.

    James016
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My son's Paediatrician was clear that while she was the expert on medical things, we were the experts on our child and that we work together to get a path forward.

    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't have kids but that's what I was thinking. Being a doctor doesn't make them infallible, but if you have a trusted one then you can work together on medical and non-medical things. Sounds like you have a great situation and will have a happy and healthy kid. :)

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    LookASquirrel
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My foot surgeon hasn't broke his ankle and tore his ligament but that didn't stop me from letting him perform surgery and following his advice on what not to do so it would heal.

    Dragons Exist
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "Mommy knows best" is one of the worst ideologies ever devised

    Rick Murray
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, uh, look, the thing is, just because you popped a tiny human out from between your loins doesn't mean you know what the hell to do with it. Just because you can learn parenting skills from a book doesn't mean you're a useful or capable parent.

    Elizabeth Lawlis
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I kind of agree. My daughter was incorrectly diagnosed with ODD (oppositional defiance disorder) and they wanted to put her on a slew of pills at age 6. I ran from that office and never looked back. We fought for someone else to take a gander. The school district finally got the diagnostician to look at her when she was 11. She has severe depression and anxiety, is autistic and ADHD plus OCD tendency. Now that she's received some therapy, she's doing much better! It took me fighting constantly for 5 years to get someone to listen!

    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But you got more than one doctor to check her out. That was the right thing to do. If you had stopped after the first doctor and just “trusted your mother’s instincts” it would have been bad. Your child needed a doctor, and you did the right thing and kept looking until you found the right treatment.

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    M Whee
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't know what kind of pediatrician you have but mine was too busy to worry about giving me parenting lessons. He sure kee ear infections though

    Bewitched One
    Community Member
    Premium
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hey all know ear infections. lol seriously though, my mom “never thought anything of it” when I was getting ear infection after ear infection every three months almost on the dot, starting from the time I was 6 years old. Every other dr thought there was a hole in my ear drum when I started going to the dr as an adult because my ears constantly pop and were getting infected. One day one ear just went quiet (didn’t know for years i stopped getting any infections in them because the bone eroded away and I couldn’t hear anymore, so I somehow that made it to where I also want feeling pain from the infections. But those chronic ear infections being ignored my whole life ended up with me needed my whole ear cut off in each side, a titanium implant to rebuild the hearing bone in one side, my mastoid bone shaved down/cleaned out, tympanum completely rebuilt in both side, because the “hole” was really my ear drum sucked into my head and folded in/collapsed in on itself, and I still have the

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    Scott Rackley
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah, the decade in school and the oath they take doesn't count.

    Sarah
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    God love their ignorance. In a way, it’s v sad

    fly on the wall
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Kind of like getting marital advice from a catholic priest?

    Matthew Hildebrand
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Commenting on this exact type of argument, commedian Steve Hofstetter joked that "I am not a helicopter pilot, but when I see a helicopter in a tree, I know he f*&%ed up."

    Rich Black
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    but you CAN learn spelling and grammar from a book, you know.

    C B Jones
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    These people vote. Mind you, if they're Americans - these people vote and that explains a lot.

    veirdbuttrue
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is really really stupid

    Ben
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of these posts could be coming from the area I live in.

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    #14

    When You Want To Delete Someone From Fb, But The Constant Trashy/ Tmi Posts Are Too Much Fun

    Screenshot of a confusing text post about embarrassment and bleeding, illustrating texts that make people pause and reread.

    reddit.com Report

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh no, a woman mentions her period! Quick, grab your pearls!

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    #15

    At Least She's Self-Aware

    Screenshot of a tweeted text post that makes people pause and reread for its unexpected and humorous content.

    reddit.com Report

    Remi (He/Him)
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even if someone is running around buck naked, it's not an invitation for ràpe!

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    Privacy and safety go hand in hand when spending time online. Oversharing personal details can put people at real risk. Things like your full date of birth, home address, or phone number should never be public. Even small bits of information can be pieced together by the wrong people. Keeping some parts of your life offline is actually smart, not secretive. The internet doesn’t forget easily. Protecting your personal information helps keep your digital space safer and calmer.

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    #17

    She's 7 Months Pregnant

    Facebook post about day 5 of no smoking with confusing comments that make people pause and reread.

    destrovel_H Report

    #18

    My Best Friends Ex-Wife Shared Her Thoughts On Ww3

    Screenshot of a confusing Twitter post that made people pause and reread, showcasing odd texts and posts reactions.

    reddit.com Report

    Fire Singer
    Community Member
    1 week ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I want the people who declare the war to have to fight in it. That's what I want.

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    Posting fake or misleading content is another slippery slope. Whether it’s exaggerated stories, false claims, or edited screenshots, misinformation spreads fast. What starts as a joke or a “harmless post” can quickly snowball. People believe what they see, especially when it’s shared confidently. That’s how rumors and false narratives take off. Being honest online builds trust, even in casual spaces. Not everything needs to be dramatic to be interesting.

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    #19

    Dont Take John's To Motel 6

    Screenshot of a confusing social media post about a motel call leading to an arrest, illustrating puzzling texts and posts.

    Berniegrl Report

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    #20

    Hurricane Ida Destroyed Houma & This Guy Wants To Laugh About It

    Funny confusing texts exchange with emojis making people pause reread and scratch their heads in a social media post.

    FaberPolychrome Report

    Sally Moen
    Community Member
    2 weeks ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people want to empathize with others, other people want to tear others down

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    All of this brings us back to why posts like these exist in the first place. Sometimes, people really do share the most random, bizarre, and questionable things online. It’s shocking, funny, and occasionally uncomfortable all at once. These posts remind us how unpredictable the internet can be. Some make us laugh, others make us cringe. What are your thoughts on what people choose to post online? Tell us which one stood out to you the most.