It was once “your mama jokes” and now it’s jokes on mental health, family situations and tragic events that have seemed to humor Generation Z. These jokes are referred to as “dark humor,” commonly displayed on social media platforms, such as TikTok.

“Dark humor” jokes can be made as a way to cope with one’s struggles, but there is an evident line that shouldn’t be crossed when making insensitive jokes. Is this type of humor funny when joking with your friends?

“Dark humor is only funny when it’s about yourself,” Hannah Staley, sophomore, said.

Self-deprecating jokes are another form of dark humor. These jokes leave us confused on whether someone is making jokes to be funny or are actually struggling and reaching out for help.

“It depends on how the person says it, look at other signs like body language or how graphic someone goes with the joke, if the signs are clear, talk to them or find a trusted adult,” Jonathan Bedolla-Reyes, junior, said.

There is a clear line that shouldn’t be crossed no matter the circumstances or level of closeness with someone.

“Don’t make jokes about the 9/11 attacks or great tragedies. Rape, racism and homophobia jokes are not funny and shouldn’t be made no matter who the person is. It’s just not funny and never was,” Aaliyah Abazis, sophomore, said.

Dark humor jokes tend to be the only jokes we can make that are funny. The jokes get attention and all we want to do is make people laugh.

“I think dark humor should only be done with close friends, you can’t do it with everybody. It’s rude. It’s important for people to know you’re joking, it shouldn’t be taken seriously,” Fabian Lehrich, junior said. 

Abazis agrees with Lehrich that dark humor is funny when it’s made with only your close friends and not with people you don’t know.

“It is only funny if it’s with your close friends and you know what the boundaries are, for example, if a random person makes a joke about your family situation, it’s bad humor,” Abazis said.

As a generation we adapt to societal changes, humor being one of them. The context of the joke and the people you joke with are very important aspects. There is a clear line that shouldn’t be crossed, but otherwise, I wouldn’t take dark humor jokes personally.