Social media is a blessing and a curse for many people. For one, social media can be a way to communicate with people all over the world. It’s a way for friends and families to stay in touch, no matter how far. It’s also a way to spread awareness for good causes and projects. Many people use social media, as well, for money and their career.
While social media can be great, it also has its downside.
Yes, social media can have so many positive things that come from it. But, there are also many negative outcomes due to social media.
Many people are bullied and trolled online, causing a pandemic with cyberbullying—with many even costing individuals their own lives.
Now, social media has begun to take a new hold on young kids and teens.
With so many social media apps with such widespread appeal, many trends and things online take hold of teens and it’s hard to stop them once they spread.
Recently, TikTok has become the breeding ground for new trends and pranks that all the kids are following.
The latest trends on TikTok have impacted schools and students.
With many schools reopening this year after being closed due to the global pandemic, many teens are being pressured by social media trends to partake in “challenges” and “dares” that interrupt the school environment and put many people at risk.
In September, the trend was destroying school property.
With schools reopening, the TikTok trend in September was called “The Devious Licks” challenge, where teens vandalized school bathrooms and property in order to take it home with them and post it on the app. Many schools reported thousands in damages.
Since the challenge went viral, other popular challenges began to pop up on the app.
Many people online, including school safety agents and parents, have gotten wind of other challenges that are coming up throughout the next several months. Now, many are speaking out and warning others about what is to come.
A Facebook post has gone viral about the upcoming challenges.
Many of the challenges are wildly inappropriate and extremely sexualized. For teenagers, this is unacceptable. But, in schools, it’s even more unacceptable and inappropriate. There is no need for any of this, especially just to go viral online.
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As October is upon us, the new trend appears to be a form of sexual assault and harassment.
According to many online, the October TikTok trend that is coming about is called “Smack a Staff Member on the Backside.” You read that correctly, yes.
TikTok users are looking to physically assault teachers and slap them on the backside, all for social media.
Obviously this is not okay.
Having teenagers (or anyone) violate someone else’s body for likes and social media clout is not okay. But, even more so, teachers have been working so hard to get by and make every student feel okay and comfortable, especially during the pandemic, they don’t deserve this.
Parents, it’s important to tell your kids what is right and wrong.
If you think your kid is going to be swayed by TikTok, you should sit down and have a talk with them about making sure they don’t partake in any of these challenges.
Hopefully, there’s a consequence to all of these poor actions.
