The Chinese short video streaming app TikTok has once again drawn negative attention. A challenge known as the “Devious Lick” has become popular leading to teenagers vandalizing school and public property.
The popular trend that teenagers across the United States appear to be taking part in had landed some of them with criminal charges. Authorities have warned parents to keep an eye on the content being consumed by children. TikTok too has started to take down content related to the harmful challenge.
The challenge, also known as "Diabolical Licks" or "Dastardly Licks", glorifies theft and vandalism of public property. It took off on TikTok leading to school students blindly following what they saw online.
People reported that several police departments have had to charge teenagers with criminal offenses across the country. Stafford County Sheriff's Office in Virginia on Friday, Sept. 17 charged a teenager for vandalizing a bathroom at Chichester Park.
The country officials revealed that six students from Stafford High School in Fredericksburg snuck out of the school and were causing damage to the public property. While all six students are being punished for leaving school grounds, only one has been charged for destroying a soap dispenser.
On the same day, Arizona’s Bullhead City Police Department confirmed that a 15-year-old was arrested for stealing the school’s toilet paper dispenser. Boone County Sheriff's Office in Kentucky also announced that four juveniles had been charged with theft and four with vandalism. All offences were related to the challenge, the Cincinnati Enquirer observed.
Police in Polk County, Florida had to arrest at least three teenagers after they tried out the challenge leading to the destruction of public property. They have been charged with criminal mischief and theft. Alicia Manautou, a spokesperson for the Polk County Sheriff's Office, stated that the children had crossed a line by destroying property paid for by the taxpayers.
She reminded parents and teens that the charges could lead to the teens being booted from extracurricular activities. The charges could also make it hard for them to find a job.
Hillsborough County Schools spokesperson Erin Maloney noted that there had been several cases of vandalism at their schools. Supporting the action taken by authorities, Maloney pointed out that the intention was to educate those engaging in the trend.
TikTok reportedly has started taking down content related to the challenge. When the term “Devious Licks” is searched on the app it leads to an error message instead of any content.
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