Devious lick

Devious Lick refers to a trend that emerged on social media platforms, particularly TikTok, in September 2021. The trend involved students stealing or vandalizing school property and then posting videos or images of the stolen items online, often with the hashtag #DeviousLicks. The term "lick" in this context is slang for a successful type of theft or score. The trend quickly gained notoriety and led to widespread concern among educators, parents, and law enforcement agencies due to the damage and theft it encouraged in educational institutions.

Origin

The Devious Lick trend is believed to have started with a TikTok video posted in early September 2021, where a user showed off a box of disposable masks they claimed to have stolen from their school. This initial post, which used the hashtag #DeviousLicks, inspired a wave of similar posts from students across the United States, showcasing items they had stolen from their schools, ranging from soap dispensers and bathroom mirrors to more significant items like projectors, computers, and even a school bus in extreme cases.

Impact

The trend quickly escalated, leading to significant damage and losses in schools. Many educational institutions reported vandalism and theft in their facilities, which disrupted the learning environment and caused financial strain due to the need for repairs and replacements. The phenomenon prompted responses from school administrators and law enforcement, with some schools increasing surveillance and others taking disciplinary actions against students involved in such activities.

School districts and educators condemned the trend, emphasizing the legal and ethical implications of participating in such acts. Some schools sent letters to parents, urging them to talk to their children about the consequences of vandalism and theft. Law enforcement agencies also warned that students could face criminal charges for their actions.

Social Media Response

In response to the growing criticism and the negative impact of the Devious Lick trend, TikTok took steps to curb the spread of related content on its platform. The company announced that it would remove videos tagged with #DeviousLicks and similar hashtags and redirect searches for the term to its community guidelines page. TikTok also issued statements discouraging destructive behavior and highlighting its policies against content that promotes or glorifies criminal activities.

Cultural and Societal Reflections

The Devious Lick trend has been analyzed as a reflection of broader societal issues, including the influence of social media on youth behavior and the challenges of managing digital platforms. Critics have pointed out that the trend underscores the need for more effective digital literacy and ethics education for young people, as well as the importance of responsible content moderation by social media companies.

See Also

• TikTok
• Vandalism
• Social media and crime
• Digital literacy

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