The 'Ruined Childhood' meme is a long-standing internet phenomenon that involves pointing out suggestive imagery, adult double entendres, or dark subtexts hidden within classic children's media like Disney movies, Nickelodeon shows, and iconic toys. This trend gained massive traction on platforms like 4chan and Tumblr in the late 2000s, often using the phrase 'Childhood Ruined' as a caption for freeze-frames that look inappropriate when taken out of context. The meme serves as a rite of passage for internet users transitioning into adulthood, finding humor in the loss of innocence and the realization that their favorite childhood creators might have been sneaking in subtle jokes for the parents all along.