Why Are People Squishing Their Babies' Faces Into Round Little Balls?

#1 Social media will make people do some pretty weird stuff for likes or just for fun.

Social media will make people do some pretty weird stuff for likes and retweets. Like the time Instagram users in Taiwan became obsessed with bread that looks like watermelon. And these guys who are turning their beards into Christmas trees. Some are for real and some are just for the amusement of others.

#2 But the latest trend on Twitter is by far the most bizarre we've ever seen.

#3 Yes, people are squishing their babies' faces into little balls by placing their thumbs under the baby's chin and framing their cheeks.

#4 So why are parents doing this? Apparently to make their kids look like balls of rice.

#5 The meme was started by Japanese comedian Masahiro Ehara, who somehow discovered the likeness on his own child and started a hashtag that translates to "#RiceBallBabies."

#6 Why you may ask... Because it's Freakin' Japan!!

#7 Of course it only took a few days before the hashtag and the pictures were viral on Twitter and Instagram. Poor little rice balls... they look adorable though :)

#8 And of course, it was only a matter of time before animals got involved.

#9 An animal lover in the US shared a pic of her puppy and kittens and soon everybody was squishing every face they could find. Thanks for the fun Japan!