The Ice Bucket challenge is back but not everyone is happy about reason for its return

It would be beyond understandable for anyone scrolling through their social media feeds at the moment to feel they've just stepped right back into 2014.

Whether it's growing popularity of Britney Spears-coded pop music, the return of boho-chic fashion or the rising popularity of Instagram-filter snaps - it's clear we're all feeling a little nostalgic for times gone by.

And the return of the Ice Bucket challenge, which first became popularised over a decade ago back in 2014, proves just that - but the return of the social media trend which initially went viral to raise awareness for ALS has sparked a major debate online.

Now, ALS - or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - is a type of motor neurone disease which sees muscle weakness in the arms and legs that can cause you to trip and drop things.

The trend, which saw those nominated (many of which were celebs like Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Kim Kardashian and James Charles) have a bucket of ice water poured over their head, has now resurfaced with a new mission.

A University of South Carolina (USC) student-run organisation called MIND, which stands for Mental Illness Needs Discussion, launched the 'Speak Your Mind Ice Bucket Challenge' at the end of last month.

And it didn't take long for people, influencers and celebrities alike to start participating in it with the trend going viral once again.

However, there has clearly been some backlash with the trend's latest mission, with many rushing online to voice their frustrations.

One critic of the resurfaced trend shared an Instagram video with a with the overlay text that read: "Watching people steal the ALS ice bucket challenge for a different cause when ALS still doesn't have a cure and is 100% fatal. Fuming."

They captioned the clip: "Just please acknowledge why the ice bucket challenge first blew up: ALS. And we’re still waiting on a cure with a 2-5 year prognosis."

Many people rushed to the comments in agreement with one Instagram user writing: "I was gravely disappointed and annoyed when I saw my friends daughter on TikTok repping the challenge. I live with ALS and feel it minimises the message! It’s so wrong!!"

"Literally!" hit out a second. "Also the whole point of the ice bucket was that it simulated ALS for a second! Now they’re just doing it for no reason???"

A third stated: "Everyone doing it for 'mental health awareness' like we aren't all on social media. We are all well aware of the mental health we don't have."

Others, however, couldn't have disagreed more.

"There is never harm in young people trying to raise awareness for any movement," a fourth explained. "I haven’t seen the bucket challenge in 10 plus years. Most of the kids doing it are probably too young to remember it was for ALS.

"Of all the problems in the world, raising awareness for any disease, shouldn’t be one of them. Living is 100% fatal. Let’s be kind while we are here."

A fifth echoed: "I’m not sure that the ice bucket challenge actually 'belongs' to any cause. (Like saying a charity walk or run belongs only to breast cancer or kidney disease).

"Can we not be grateful that our young people are raising awareness for mental health (a major concern at that demographic) and not challenging each other to eat tide pods?!"

Another noted: "I don’t think finding the cure for ALS being held back by the lack of ice bucket trend. Heaven forbid we bring awareness to another issue,"

And a final Instagram user added: "Yikes imagine being upset that people are coming together to raise awareness for mental health."

It's also important to note that the official ALS Association has made a number of social media posts promoting the latest challenge with one Instagram caption reading: "Tell a friend to tell a friend…the Ice Bucket Challenge is back! Mental health impacts everyone, including people affected by ALS.

"The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge made progress, but there’s still more to be done!"

Another caption echoes: "The Ice Bucket Challenge is BACK! On behalf of the entire ALS community we want to nominate YOU to take the Ice Bucket Challenge to support ALS and mental health. Mental health has a profound impact on people living with ALS and caregivers."

"Promise to be dazzling. Over a decade ago they started something incredible, raising money and awareness for ALS. It is happening again and the work is far from over. Pick up your bucket," a final statement added.

If you're experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is there to support you. They're open from 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year. Their national number is 0800 58 58 58 and they also have a webchat service if you're not comfortable talking on the phone.