TikTok challenges and dares are affecting the Churchill County middle and senior-high school campuses, said Dr. Summer Stephens, superintendent of Churchill County schools.
She said a September challenge called “devious licks” encouraged students to steal from school campuses or vandalize facilities, particularly restrooms. Stephens said CCMS and CCHS experienced isolated incidents of vandalism.
The October TikTok challenge urges students to film and post videos of a student slapping a teacher or staff member. Stephens said any intentional use of force against another person is a criminal offense, and the Churchill County School District will cooperate fully with law enforcement officers to bring charges against any student who engages in assault or battery of an employee.
“Along with legal ramifications, Churchill County School District will also apply disciplinary measures consistent with Policy and Regulation 5135.2, Student Discipline,” she said.
TikTok is owned by a Chinese company and as a social media platform, it requests the creation, sharing and discovering of short videos
Stephens said the challenges and dares will not end here. Her staff has seen a list of TikTok challenges for each month. She said both students and parents must know the behavior set forth in these challenges is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“Students attempting or participating in any TikTok challenges at school that violate the district's student behavior policy will face disciplinary actions, including the possibility of out-of-school suspension, expulsion and depending on the severity, police involvement,” she said
Stephens said she hasn’t received such feedback, yet, except for Facebook comments that people can't believe children would do those things and anger that those types of things are happening or could happen.
Stephens said the school district has already been in contact with the Fallon Police Department.
“We will immediately contact the Fallon P.D. if a student strikes a school employee or participates in any social media challenge or other behavior that involves criminal behavior,” she said. “The fact that it is a TikTok challenge will not be a defense. Churchill County School District will report all crimes.”
As much as social media can be a force for good, Stephens said it has definitely been used by some to encourage inappropriate and sometimes illegal behavior. We will work side by side with parents to educate and prevent our students from participating in destructive, inappropriate, dangerous or illegal behaviors encouraged by these TikTok challenges.
