Gaudet Middle School bathroom damaged in connection with TikTok #deviouslicks challenge

MIDDLETOWN — A social media "challenge" on the TikTok app that encourages students to steal items, especially from school bathrooms, then post about it has made an entrance at Gaudet Middle School.

On Tuesday, Gaudet Middle School Principal William Niemeyer said in a message to parents the school now has had two issues in one of its bathrooms related to the challenge, known colloquially as the #deviouslicks.

"All over the nation, kids are causing serious damage to school property, particularly in the bathrooms. We have now had two issues in one of our bathrooms here at Gaudet," Niemeyer said. 

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In his message, Niemeyer asks parents to discuss the serious ramifications that can come from causing serious damage to a school building, both ethical and legal. 

School officials Tuesday didn't immediately return calls for comment, but Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger said in an emailed statement the costs to repair damages at Gaudet caused by students participating in the challenge are unknown at this time. 

Per protocol, Niemeyer said students who need to use the bathroom are asked to sign out of the classroom, either on Google, or with paper and pencil. 

"We also have ramped up our monitoring, and will continue to do so," he said. "If the damage continues, we will be looking to schedule bathroom breaks for classes, and individuals needing the restroom would have to use a monitored restroom if they need it off schedule."

More:'Devious licks' challenge on TikTok leads to criminal charges against students across US

In her emailed statement, Kraeger said district officials will be able to identify students who cause damages to facilities connected to this challenge and consequences will occur. 

"We will be following all our discipline protocols.  As part of our daily practices, teachers ask students to sign out of the classroom when they leave the room. We will monitor these activities closely," she said. 

In his statement, Niemeyer said he hopes they don't have to schedule restroom breaks or monitor bathrooms. 

"Our goal is to help develop kids that are responsible for their actions, and be contributing members of our school community," he said. 

Kraeger said one of the school's bathroom stalls was damaged. 

History of the "challenge" 

According to a USA TODAY article published on Sept. 15, the #devisouslicks challenge encourages students to steal school supplies — everything from soap dispensers and toilets to computers and film projectors, as well as other school equipment.

Restrooms are primary targets for disciples of this "devious licks" craze as mirrors, sinks, urinals, ceiling tiles and toilet stall doors and dividers are among prizes being stolen and displayed in videos on the social video site.

A website called "know your meme" states the trend started on Sept. 1, when a TikToker posted a video of himself taking a box of disposable masks from his backpack with the caption "a month into school absolutely devious lick." 

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Then on Sept. 6, another TikTok user posted a video of himself stealing a hand sanitizer dispenser. His video garnered 7.2 million views in two days, according to know your meme. 

One TikToker posted a video of themselves with a pile of COVID-19 rapid response tests. Over the next few days, the trend continued to grow until TikTok banned anything using hashtags related to it on Sept. 16. 

Bethany Brunelle can be reached at bbrunelle@newportri.com  907-575-8528 or @bethanyfreuden1 on Twitter, Insta: bethanyfreudenthal,TikTok: thehijabicrimereporter, Muckrack: https://muckrack.com/bethany-freudenthal