Several new TikTok challenges are creating problems for schools across North Texas with many reporting thousands of dollars in damages.
The “school bathroom challenge” and “devious licks challenge,” involve students damaging and stealing school property and posting it on social media, while the “Kool-Aid challenge,” involves students splashing Kool-Aid on the walls to make it look like blood.
On Monday, Waxahachie ISD reported 14 restrooms were vandalized by students participating in the new challenge causing thousands of dollars of damage while rendering those restrooms unusable for fellow students.
“Waxahachie ISD and the Waxahachie Police Department will investigate this fully and pursue punishment for all students involved to the fullest extent of both the WISD student code of conduct and the criminal code,” said the school online.
“We have received reports of multiple stolen items (soap, soap dispensers, teacher personal items, technology, air vents) and vandalism (bathroom walls, electrical plugs, desks) that mimics the popular TikTok trend. The theft and vandalism will not be tolerated and is placing undue stress on our school staff who work diligently to ensure our campus is safe,” said Sanger High School, Texas, who has also reported the trend making its way into their school.
On Wednesday, TikTok announced it was banning “Devious Licks” videos from the platform, saying they violate the app’s community guidelines.
Many schools are also trying to get ahead of the challenge by sending a letter to parents encouraging them to talk to their kids about not participating. Some schools that have been vandalized are now removing soap dispensers and other items from the bathrooms while others have security placed outside.
Locally, there have been no reports of students participating in the trend, however, school officials are aware of it.
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