People shared the cringiest photos from their childhoods
Nearly everyone experiences awkward and cringe-worthy moments growing up—memories we’d rather leave behind.
But thanks to technology, these moments often get captured and shared with the world. Get ready for a collection of hilarious, embarrassing photos that people have courageously posted online.
Yeah, Flip Those Pancakes
Accompanying this photo, the person admitted, “I can’t even explain what trends I was chasing, but I definitely spent way too much time in this outfit.” That feeling is something many of us know all too well from those younger days.
Oh, You Thought You Had A Goth Phase?
There’s the usual goth phase—and then there’s this. What’s the point of dressing like a Tank Girl extra and striking a pose by your parents’ fence, totally convinced you look way cooler than you actually do?
Loving Dogs Gone Too Far
It’s almost impossible not to love dogs. That said, sometimes people can get a little carried away with their furry pals, and this is a prime example. But since they’re all young, we’ll give them a pass.
He Didn’t Want His Wife To Post This
This photo was taken by a woman’s husband back in his twenties. She shared it with his reluctant permission—though I’m pretty sure he wasn’t thrilled about anyone else seeing it.
Her Mom Said She Would Regret This
This girl’s mom warned her she’d regret this photo someday—but she couldn’t disagree more. She proudly shared this 2002 throwback, insisting she wouldn’t change a thing.
A Prom Photo He Won’t Forget
This photo was shared by this man’s wife as a birthday surprise for his 37th. It’s probably not the picture he hoped would resurface—let alone be broadcast across social media.
Allllllllrighty Then
This is what you get when you try to smile, but Jim Carrey’s influence runs deep. She looks like she’s about to yell “Alrighty then!” and break into a wild dance.
Scared Of The Flash?
His mom told him not to blink for his second-grade class photo, but he took it a little too seriously. While everyone else looks calm, he looks like he just had a serious accident—yes, the number two kind.
Photoshopping His Dad Out For Britney
This kid hadn’t quite hit rock bottom yet—he was just too young. Most likely, he had a huge crush on Ms. Spears, and honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that.
He Dressed Up As A Clown To Surprise His GF From Another School
It takes a lot of affection to go this far for someone in high school. Luckily, this was before clowns got such a bad reputation—though that means this stunt hasn’t aged very gracefully.
Love To See That Confidence
Isn’t it crazy how much confidence kids have, only for it to fade as we grow up? It’s almost as if the more polished and accomplished we become, the harder it is to truly like ourselves.
Teenage Parents First Family Photo
These two snapped this photo 12 years ago but only just shared it now. Maybe they grew into sophisticated adults—or maybe they stayed just the same. I’m choosing to believe it’s the former, giving them the benefit of the doubt.
It Was Opposite Day, So He Dressed As A Girl
This young man showed courage in his small Idaho town by choosing to dress as a girl on Opposite Day, while others went for less flashy costumes.
This Isn’t A Young Boy
A woman shared this photo, explaining that her dad complimented the haircut and her mom loved the shirt. She wrapped it up by making it clear—despite how she looks in the picture—she is, in fact, a girl.
Dumped A Week Before Prom, Still Had To Take Pics
Getting dumped a week before prom doesn’t sound like the slightest bit of fun. His mom paid for the photos, though, so he still had to take them. That’s when he decided to make a sock puppet to join him.
Sticking Out Like A Sore Thumb
This boy’s mother dressed him like this so she could easily find him when it was time to pick him up from school. I mean, it isn’t too bad, but I doubt he’d dress his kids like this.
All This For A Crush
This girl posted this collage in high school and even tagged her crush in it. She doesn’t know if she’s more embarrassed by how long it took to make or that she really tagged him.
Prom Outfits Made From Tape
This one is a long story, so I’ll keep it short. Her parents didn’t want her going to prom with a senior, so they didn’t give her any money. She and her date improvised big time.
Youngster Looking Like A Middle-Aged Teacher
I can’t tell if this is an image of my favorite primary school teacher or a youngster on picture day. This person might have the curse of Benjamin Button going on.
Before Leaving A Cult
The picture of this young man on the left without the beard is this man while he was in a cult. He soon grew a beard and also decided to leave the cult.
Old High School ID….
Was he proud the day he wore his hair like this on picture day? Did he make his mother cry when she saw the results? I’m not sure, but this is a pretty unique hairstyle.
When You See It…
Everyone in the family looks like they’re ready for a fun vacation, but then you have the emo girl. Hey, a lot of kids go through that phase, so you can’t be upset at her.
He Thought Being The Edgy Kid Made Him Cool
This guy set up a photoshoot with his mom so he could show off his edginess. He believed that it made him mysterious and cool, but looking back, he only looks weird.
His Mom Cried When She Received These Pics
To make your mom cry from a picture of you smiling is pretty tough. Then you realize that this kid doesn’t even show his eyes. It looks like he’s not even a person.
The Cat Boy
Well, this is a 7-year-old boy in makeup, a perm, and sequinned Jellicle cats dance costume. Imagine the backlash he’d get from his friends who saw this picture of him while in high school…
There’s A Lot Going On Here
I’m not sure if she trained to be Cruella de Vil or if she got lucky and stole an outfit from her mom’s closet. Either way, this is the perfect photo to show someone if you want to break the ice.
It’s The Bunny Buttons For Me
There’s so much going on here, but let’s focus on the details. The cardigan is nice, but look closer at the buttons in the shape of bunnies. Do you think this person regretted this?
Why Does Ryan Gosling Look Like Draco Malfoy?
Some mother found this picture of her kid with a young version of Ryan Gosling, and their haircuts are the big issue here. Gosling looks like an extra from Harry Potter.
On Her Way To A Christian Concert Event
If only God can judge us, do I not get a say in this? How much gel did she have to use to get the hair to hold that well?
She Went Through A Belt Phase
Have you ever seen this many belts on a person at once? She thought she looked cooler the more belts she had on her. Thankfully, later in life, she realized that her hypothesis wasn’t true.
She Went All In
The moment she made her hair a rainbow, there was no turning back. She had to live with this style for at least a month or it would have been for nothing.
When You Gre Up In Detroit When Eminem Was Big
Musicians have a lot of influence over the youth. Eminem is a generational talent, so you can expect his pull to be heavy. Here’s one kid that fell victim to Slim Shady’s antics.
Cat Tries To Escape
This kid has the Dwight Schrute glasses, braces, and small animals around him. I’m sure he didn’t grow up to be a zookeeper, though, because that cat wants out of his arms at once.
He Was Going For That Cool Guy Vibe
What you’re looking at here is a kid who was top of his class, super nerd, honor roll student who was looking for a different kind of vibe. Why be smart when you can be cool?
He’s Not Here To Mess Around
Apparently, this guy was the top popcorn seller in 1994, whatever that means. I can’t be certain, but just by looking at him, I can promise you that that was probably true.
These Pictures Are Worth 1000 Words Each
Why does she look like she is crying in these pictures? Do you think it was her idea or her mom’s idea that she get dressed up like her American Girl Doll and get pictures done at Sears?
Ladies, Pull Yourselves Together
This is the picture of a man who took school dances very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that he would wear this top hat and those glasses to make sure that no one ever forgot them.
Now That’s One Cool Kid
This little guy used to dress up like this and kung fu his away around the front yard. Now it serves as one of the pictures his wife laughs at the most.
He’s A Walking Hot Topic Add
This guy said that he was a seasonal worker at Hot Topic and apparently he spent more money using his 20% discount than he actually made that holiday season at work.
Those Dang Vamp Kids
When Twilight came out, do you think that Stephanie Meyers knew she was going to be starting a cult of kids who thought it was cool to wear plastic fangs?
