This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Nottingham chapter.

So it’s just been Valentine’s Day and everyone is banging on about how good it was. Oh how brilliant for them, ey? What about those of us who don’t really give a monkeys? Those who understand it for what it is – an over commercialised event built for companies and only for companies. Ok – I’m being cynical, but let’s move on quickly. Let’s move onto a wonderful selection of pranks to lighten the mood following Valentine’s Day, pranks which have been taking the online world by storm in recent years. Here’s my selection of the Top 5 available online.

Beware! Some are downright absurd, some amazingly brave, and many just totally psychotic. Enjoy…

The Invisible Driver Prank

This one is extremely light-hearted in its tone; although there is a slight sense of spookiness to it all (in particular for the victims). Well known Youtube Prankster ‘MagicofRahat’ develops a disguise-car-chair-suit which basically allows him to drive his car (in a limited manner of course) without appearing to be in the car seat. The genius prankster then proceeds to head to a number of Drive-Thrus, equipped with a secret camera in order to film the staff’s reactions when he pulls up to collect his meal and there’s no one driving the car. The results are hilarious: ranging from people freaking out, to others who lose their minds in laughter and proceed to throw the order onto the ‘empty seat.’

Style: Fun, light-hearted- yet slightly spooky!

Genius: 4/5

Prankster Factor: 2/5

Reaction: 2/5

Total: 8/15

The In the Hood Pranks

Ok, so here I’ve grouped together a bunch of different pranks which come under the same style. Basically, there are many pranks out there which doing: in the hood. Now obviously it’s assumed that in this setting people are less tolerant to nonsense from outsiders and whilst often there are times when your heart is warmed by viewing people who take it on the chin and even join in; a lot of the time brave prankers are met with what can quite frankly only be described as dangerous and threatening circumstances. Take for example the guy who was met with the response of a gun being pointed at his person. Or the prankster who was knocked clean out by some no nonsense prank victim. Beware in the hood!

Not the most ideal reaction to a “In the Hood” Prank

Style: Mixture of sheer brave stupidity, violence and also controversy.

Genius: 1/5

Prankster Factor: 4/5

Reaction: 4/5

Total: 9/15

The Killer Clown Prank

So this one ranks very highly in the psychotic range. Since the original there have been a number of instalments where the general principal is: someone is fully clad in a clown outfit with a huge wooden mallet. Already set up is a life-like dummy with a contraption filled with blood which the clown then proceeds to burst open when passers-by are aware of his presence. Funny? Yes – but imagine being the random passers-by who encounter this nutter? No thank you!

Style: Psychotic and extremely terrifying but genius in that it plays on the common fear of clowns.

Genius: 3/5

Prankster Factor: 4/5

Reaction: 4/5

Total: 11/15

The Chainsaw Massacre Prank

I mean – the clown prank is pretty bad, but this is just a whole different kettle of fish! I suppose the only saving grace is the fact that we have a guy who is using a deformity to his advantage in what some could describe as a flash of ‘creative genius.’ The producers of these pranks spent days preparing for this by creating a suit for a man who was born with no legs – which made him appear as if he’d been sliced in half with his intestines spewing everywhere. Gorey and perhaps too detailed – yes. But brilliant all the same. Accompanying this cleverly styled actor is a generic dude in a creepy scientist outfit, covered in blood and holding a chainsaw. Much like the clown prank the duo set up random passers-by by chasing them with the idea that the scientist is looking for his next victim.

Style: Similar to the above but this one involves genius surrounding the manipulation of a deformity which is simply brilliant. Kudos!

Genius: 4/5

Prankster Factor: 4/5

Reaction: 4/5

Total: 12/15

The I’ve Killed Our Son Prank

It’s perhaps striking that this number one prank is classed as ‘light-hearted’ as opposed to the others I have selected. But this really is one of those which shocks you to the core at such audacity but then also warms your heart as you realise that this couple must have a strong relationship. This prank comes from the famous Roman Atwood who is well known for his pranking escapades – often involving his other half. They seem to have the perfect family – the perfect life. With a large home and a loving relationship with two young boys. But what about when this is tested to the core? To paint things simply: Atwood essentially makes out that he has thrown their son over the balcony of their home, onto the living room floor; however in actual fact he has quickly switched his son for a dummy dressed exactly like the child. His wife returns home and proceeds to go absolutely mental as she realises that their son may be dead, an equally outraged response shortly follows as she questions why her husband would pretend to do such a thing. Simply brilliant!