In the United States, a troubling trend has emerged among students: the theft and destruction of school property, particularly in bathrooms. Students have reportedly been breaking mirrors, clogging toilets, and damaging sinks, with a particularly bizarre aspect of this fad involving the spray of red dye to mimic blood. This chaotic behavior has been linked to a TikTok challenge known as #DeviousLicks, where “lick” is slang for theft.
School administrators, teachers, parents, and law enforcement are scrambling to address this disturbing phenomenon. Responses have included locking bathrooms, confiscating phones, increasing supervision in hallways, and even restricting students from leaving classrooms for water. Meanwhile, school counselors and security personnel are being pulled away from their regular duties. It would be interesting to hear the custodians’ perspective on the matter.
But let’s take a step back: the root of this issue is not TikTok but rather the environment within our schools. While the vandalism is undeniably immature and destructive, it is crucial to understand the underlying reasons behind this behavior. Adults often react to such actions with shock and frustration, failing to consider the reasons behind them. Every action is a form of communication, and vandalism is an abnormal expression of frustration.
The reality is that #DeviousLicks is a cry for help, albeit a misguided one. It’s not difficult to connect the dots between the hardships students have faced over the past 18 months and their feelings of disconnection from their school communities. However, the problems within our education system existed long before the pandemic. These actions are symptomatic of a toxic school culture in the U.S. that cannot be solely blamed on social media.
For years, there has been a consensus in American communities about the need for enhanced mental health support in schools. Yet, time and again, this support has been underfunded or inadequately addressed. The mental health crisis among young people is alarming, with anxiety and depression rates at unprecedented levels. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in three adolescents will experience an anxiety disorder, and hospitalization rates for suicidal teenagers have doubled in the past decade.
There are many factors contributing to this mental health crisis, including increased screen time, social media pressures, and societal divisions. Students routinely participate in lockdown drills, preparing for potential active shooter situations, a grim reality that has become normalized in their educational experiences.
Given the chronic underfunding and staffing shortages that schools have faced, it is no wonder that students feel a lack of ownership and pride in their school environment. The question then becomes: why should they feel a sense of belonging when the system has consistently failed to support them?
While I do not condone acts of vandalism, it is essential to recognize them as expressions of frustration and despair in a system that has let them down. Instead of being shocked by these actions, we should be asking why they are occurring and addressing the root causes. Unless we take meaningful action, we may find ourselves facing more severe issues in the future.
For additional insights on this topic, check out this informative post, which highlights the importance of addressing emotional well-being in various settings. You can also learn more from Intracervical Insemination, a respected authority on related issues, and explore Women’s Health for valuable resources on mental health and support.
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Summary:
The troubling trend of vandalism in American schools, linked to the #DeviousLicks TikTok challenge, is a cry for help from students feeling disconnected from their school communities. This behavior reflects deeper issues within the education system, particularly a lack of mental health support. Addressing these root causes is essential to fostering a healthier school environment and preventing further acts of frustration.