The Carson City School District on Thursday released a statement regarding the recent increase in social media challenges, including the TikTok “devious licks,” students and community members have been participating in and recording.
Children across the nation in recent weeks have been motivated to take part in various monthly social media dares, which are concerning local school officials. September’s act was to vandalize restrooms and school property, including damaging soap dispensers.
In Carson City schools, including Carson High, Carson Middle and Eagle Valley Middle schools, according to district spokesman Dan Davis, soap dispensers and towel dispensers attached to walls were vandalized, creating enough damage to sheetrock that certain maintenance was required. These procedures were disruptive enough that some of the campuses and staff members had to establish specialized restroom breaks or make special arrangements for students throughout the school day, Davis said.
Nationally, other school districts have reported shutdowns of school facilities as a result of these viral TikTok challenges through the “devious licks” trend, a lick being defined as a “successful type of theft which results in an acceptable, impressive and rewarding payday for the protagonist,” according to Urban Dictionary.
Recently, Osbourn Park High School Principal Lisamarie Kane in Manassas, Va., reported bags of soap and toilet paper stuffed in the boys’ restrooms, with several items stolen.
In New Jersey, Haledon Public School Superintendent Chris Wacha reported $400 in plumbing damage to one of its schools.
Teens also are destroying turf from sports fields as a result of the social media trend.
Carson City School District’s statement is as follows:
“We find ourselves seeking the assistance of parents, students and community members to help end the various ‘challenges’ being recorded and uploaded to social media sites. These viral trends have made a difficult year, even more difficult. When it comes to these destructive, indecent, inappropriate and unlawful acts, we ask for your assistance in helping us stop these school disruptions.
“I encourage parents to take time to discuss with their children the importance of not participating in dangerous, destructive or illegal social media challenges, and specifically the importance of treating educators, classmates and school property with respect,” said Richard Stokes, superintendent for the Carson City School District. “I encourage parents to monitor their children’s social media activities and talk with them about some of the dangers associated with the platforms. Of course, it’s also important that adults model good behavior while interacting with others in person and while on social media.”
Throughout October, Carson High plans on recognizing students who perform positive actions.
