GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. (KDVR) — It’s a trend that’s sweeping schools across the nation, and now Cherry Creek is asking parents to talk to their children about vandalism and theft at schools.
It’s called the “Devious Lick” challenge, and across the country students are damaging soap and toilet paper dispensers, mirrors, and floors in the bathrooms.
The Cherry Creek School District said students have also been stealing fire extinguishers.
“These actions limit access and create disruption within the learning environment,” the letter to parents said.
The district asked parents to talk to their children about damage and vandalism as well as the repercussions.
“Student outcomes will include: suspension, restitution, law enforcement referral, and/or expulsion,” the letter said.
FOX31 spoke with social media experts on the most recent teenage TikTok fad to explain why kids feel the need to destroy and steal property and post it online.
“Every kid wants to be accepted that’s what being a middle schooler and teenager is about. They are some awful years that we go through and being accepted is so important to our survival during those times,” explained Dr. Samual Jay with Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Northglenn High School and Denver Public Schools also reported similar behavior, forcing several staff members to shut down bathrooms in schools were the destruction is happening most often. Jay believes the threat of suspension or legal repercussions, likely won’t sway the actions of students who want TikTok likes and views.
“To those kids, the fame is worth the consequence. It 100% is,” Jay continued. “A 15-year-old doesn’t have the capacity to measure fame vs. getting put into jail or kicked out of school.”