Boone County Schools reports that a TikTok trend has resulted in eight juveniles charged, and now a principal there is trying to fight viral with viral.
The TikTok challenge, called the "devious licks," encourages students to steal or destroy school property and post it, the district said. It's causing daily disruptions prompting the school to warn parents it is taking a zero-tolerance approach.
In response to the national trend, TikTok said it working to remove content like this from its platform and redirect users to its community guidelines.
The Boone County Sheriff's Office reported Friday that eight juveniles from schools throughout the district have been charged in offenses related to the trend. Four face vandalism charges and four face theft charges.
This comes on the heels of schools reporting students barking and growling at each other in disrespectful ways.
"This behavior will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly. Destruction of school property will result in school discipline being applied to the fullest extent, including paying restitution for property that has been damaged or destroyed and possibly being criminally charged by our local police or sheriff’s department," Boone County Schools wrote in a letter to parents.
Boone County officials have not specified how many students have been arrest or what they are charged with.
Oak Hills Local School District also released a warning to parents Thursday.
"Students in several of our buildings have been caught committing these thefts and acts of vandalism and are being disciplined," the district said. "In addition to school consequences, students are subject to criminal charges and will be required to pay restitution for any damages incurred."
The district also directed parents to more information about how TikTok works and some of the risks of the platform.
Stephanie Hagerty, the principal at Camp Ernst Middle School, has created a positive challenge to counteract "devious licks," and the district reports it seems to be working. Her students are posting TikToks of them helping people, doing chores and other good deeds.
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