SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — There is a new TikTok challenge making the rounds among middle and high schoolers that could land teens in hot water at school.
The challenge is called “devious licks,” but there’s no licking involved. The students are actually stealing and vandalizing the bathrooms at schools. Seminole County Public Schools officials said just about every middle and high school in the district has had an incident related to the challenge as of late.
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That includes a toilet being removed from the stall and set in the middle of the bathroom floor at Lake Mary High School, and Seminole High School, where part of the tile wall was ripped out.
“They are taking soap dispensers, breaking sinks, breaking paper towel holders,” said Michael Lawrence with Seminole County Public Schools.
Photos: ‘Devious licks’: New TikTok challenge leading to damage at local schools
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The district said students are also stealing things outside of the restroom: a seat in the cafeteria was taken and a keyboard from a classroom thrown into a urinal.
“We know they think this maybe funny or cool at the time, but there are some serious repercussions,” Lawrence said.
The district said students who are caught could have to pay for the damages, which could run in the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Schools like Tuskawilla, Milwee and Jackson Heights schools sent letters out to parents warning about the consequences if their child is caught in one of these licks.
“There could be suspension, expulsion, alternative school and if they play sports or any school club, they could be removed from those, and at the same time, there could be criminal charges as well. That could long impact them if they partake in this kind of thing,” Lawrence said.
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If you see one of these licks take place, the district is asking students to contact the speak out hotline or use the P3 app and report it anonymously.
Orange County Public Schools said four out of its 205 schools have been impacted by the TikTok challenge.
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