With the rise in social media and other digital content, it's becoming an increasingly common occurrence to see someone taking pictures or recording a video in common spaces like a grocery store or gas station.
While it's legal for them to do so, there are still limits to what is ethical or socially acceptable and what is not.
That's why JJ of @momoftwowithone on TikTok called a man out when she saw him allegedly taking photos of two teenage girls in shorts. She claimed she witnessed him following them around for a "long time" before approaching him.
JJ shared the now-viral TikTok featuring her calling the man out on his behavior.
She said:
"You have pictures of children on your phone. That's not okay! That's disgusting. You can't take pictures of underage girls in the store. That's not okay."
The man simply muttered:
"That's not true."
JJ demanded evidence:
"Show anybody your phone. Because you were taking pictures and videos of teenage girls in shorts!"
"I'm not wrong. I saw the whole thing. If you're going to take pictures of other people's children in stores, you should be embarrassed. Show me your phone, then."
The man feigned confusion:
"Why would I show you my phone?"
JJ continued:
"Because if you don't have pictures of teenage girls on your phone, then you should be willing to show."
"You're being accused of something serious. If you didn't do it, then it would be no problem. But you know you did, and I saw you do it. You saw me see you do it, and you started walking away."
JJ captioned the video, calling out to TikTok for help:
“Do you know this guy? Saw this guy blatantly taking pictures and videos of teenage girls in their shorts at my local Target."
"Security and managers couldn’t (wouldn’t) do anything and he booked it when someone mentioned the police."
Fellow TikTokers left many questions in the comments, some of which JJ responded to.
The TikToker shared more information in a follow-up video, in which she claimed to witness the man zooming in on his phone and taking pictures of the teenagers' bodies while doing "creepy sh*t."
When they arrived at the front of the store security was waiting at the door, but the man refused to show anyone his phone, left his shopping cart and hurried out of the store.
Some expressed concern about doing this while JJ had her child with her, which she responded to.
One vital concern in the TikTok community was the presence of JJ's baby and her approaching the man while her baby was sitting in her shopping cart.
JJ, however, claimed the situation was "perfectly safe" as it was during broad daylight in a crowded store.
JJ also pointed out:
"Secondly, if I didn't do what I did and no one else had seen him, then he would've just gotten away with that. Who knows how long he's been doing that?"
Most TikTokers, however, were grateful JJ called the man out.
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
@momoftwowithone/TikTok
Unfortunately, since Target is private property, JJ didn't get the closure she was hoping for.
Finally, the TikToker was unhappy with how the situation was handled by Target, who simply said they'd "handle it" but gave her no details regarding how.
JJ reflected:
"They didn't ask me for my info. They didn't ask for the video. I don't know what 'handling it' looks like to Target, and I hate that."
"Hopefully someone knows who this is, so something can be done."
It's unclear what, if anything, will happen from here.
But it is important to notice threatening or dangerous behavior, especially when it involves people who need an advocate, like children.
@LarryBoorstein/X
@azealiaslacewig/X
@azealiaslacewig/X
@LongTimeHistory/X
Kristen Bell Awww GIF
Saturday Morning Friday GIF by Hello All
Happy Laugh GIF by Law & Order
@TheWhiteHouse/X