by Mike Knaak
news@thenewsleaders.com
Worries about so-called TikTok challenges prompted school and law enforcement officials to warn Sartell-St. Stephen parents about possible dangerous and illegal student behavior.
In an email to district parents Oct. 8, the school district, Sartell police and Stearns County Sheriff’s Office asked “parents/guardians to discuss with your children student behavior during – and outside of – school hours, specifically regarding TikTok/social media, physical challenges and ‘fight clubs’ that may occur off school grounds.”
The message went on to inform parents that students are creating “fight clubs” and are engaging in physical fights outside of school hours and off school grounds.
TikTok challenges that include damage to property, theft and assault are also a concern.
The challenge for October is “smack a staff member.” Participating in the challenge could lead to school discipline but also criminal charges.
“If your child uses social media, please talk with them about these disturbing ‘challenges’ and trends; these ‘challenges’ are criminal behavior and not an innocent prank,” the email stated. “If your child does not have social media, they may likely hear about these trends so it’s important in this situation you also work with your child to understand what is happening.”
The “challenge” changes each month. The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office has provided a list of challenges. This monthly list includes: vandalize school bathrooms, kiss your friend’s girlfriend at school, deck the halls and show your balls, and jab a breast.
TikTok is a video-sharing social networking service that hosts a variety of short-form user videos that last from 15 seconds to three minutes.
Parents with questions should contact the school principal, school resource officer or other local law enforcement. The Sartell-St. Stephen school district has an anonymous tip line on its free mobile app, Sartell-St. Stephen Schools, to report bullying, fighting and other threats.
