Minors Could Face Criminal Charges in Latest TikTok Challenge

 Posted on September 21, 2021 in Criminal Defense

Social media is known for its viral challenges. Some have been for a good cause – such as the Ice Bucket Challenge a few years ago that generated about $15 million for The ALS Association – while others can be dangerous. Some of the more dangerous social media challenges over the past several years include the Tide pod challenge (where people ate the toxic detergent), the fire challenge (where people were doused with a flammable liquid and set on fire), and the sunburn tattoo challenge (place a stencil to cover a small portion of skin and then sit in the sun for hours). However, the latest social media challenge that has gone viral can result in minors facing criminal charges.

The Devious Licks Challenge

The devious licks challenge is the latest trend to go viral, thanks to the social media platform Tiktok. The challenge – also referred to as dastardly licks or diabolical licks – involves students damaging or stealing items from their schools and then posting videos of the act on Tiktok. In teen slang, the word “lick” in the challenge means a successful type of theft which provides the actor with an impressive payday.

The challenge is being taken up by middle school, high school, and even college students across the country who commit the vandalism, most commonly to school restrooms. Videos of missing soap dispensers, smashed floor tiles, and stolen urinals are showing up all over TikTok. Although the company is doing its best to quickly take down the posts, many of the videos are also shared on other social media sites. Many schools have been forced to keep student restrooms locked for most of the school day to help prevent destruction.

Criminal Charges

While the teens participating in the devious licks challenge may think what they are doing is just a prank, the destruction of school property is a crime. If a student is caught, not only do they face disciplinary action from the school administration but they could also face criminal charges. That reality has been brought home to more than a dozen teens across the country who have been arrested after police identified them from the posted videos.

Contact a Knox County Defense Attorney

Having a juvenile criminal record can end up becoming part of a minor’s permanent record, which can make it difficult in obtaining education, employment, or professional options in the future. This is why it is critical for a parent to contact a skilled Knoxville, TN juvenile defense attorney immediately, no matter what the level of crime is. If your child has been charged with a crime, call Jeffrey Coller, Knoxville Criminal Defense Attorney at 865-281-1000 to schedule a free and confidential consultation.

Sources:

https://people.com/human-interest/what-to-know-about-devious-lick-tiktok-challenge/

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Lick

https://www.als.org/blog/understanding-impact-ice-bucket-challenge-als-associations-finances