GEARY – A destructive viral trend that began on TikTok has made its way to the Geary school district, and now the principal is warning students not to participate.
“Devious licks” involves stealing or vandalizing school property, usually bathrooms, and posting about it online. “Lick” is a slang term for a theft.
In a letter posted last Thursday, Sept. 16, Geary High School/Middle School principal Christa Burns said the trend “has made its way to Geary Public Schools.”
“We have received multiple reports of stolen items and vandalism,” Burns said, adding that such behavior “will not be tolerated.”
She requested that families speak to their children about internet fads and how some “can ultimately impact their future.”
“We want nothing more than our students and staff to take pride in their campuses and respect their property,” Burns wrote. Any students who participate in the “Devious Licks” trend by stealing or damaging school property could be cited, suspended, referred to law enforcement or otherwise disciplined, Burns said, in addition to paying restitution for the property.
“We encourage students to anonymously report any criminal activity through email or talk with a teacher or principal if they witness such behavior,” she concluded.
TikTok is one of the newest entrants into the social media scene, but may have already become the most popular with teenagers and young adults over the past couple years. The app features short video clips that are designed to amuse, entertain or inform.
Often viral trends will appear on the app that inspire thousands or millions to copy and participate. Usually such trends are benign, like doing a particular dance, but some can be dangerous or destructive. The “milk crate challenge” was one such trend that encouraged users to stack milk crates in a pyramid shape and then walk across them; numerous falls and injuries resulted.
Fortunately, many such trends are short-lived.