TikTok December 17 Challenge Has CT Police, Schools On High Alert

CONNECTICUT — State police and the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection are closely monitoring a rash of TikTok posts that have been circulating on social media that there will be threats against schools on Friday, according to authorities.

The Connecticut Intelligence Center has been investigating and monitoring the social media trend, but the center has not yet identified any specific or credible threats to any schools within Connecticut.

"These posts and rumors started on the social media platform TikTok and have been circulating for at least several days across the country, making their way onto additional social media platforms," state police said. "Many law enforcement agencies around the country have received tips related to these rumors. It is possible that the threats originated from a TikTok challenge to skip school on Friday, December 17, 2021."

Any and all school threats that are made in Connecticut are immediately taken very seriously by law enforcement, officials said. If a threat is determined to be a hoax, there will be a thorough investigation and arrests will be made, and could also lead to further consequences within the school district.

In addition to law enforcement, the Department of Emergency Services and Public protection and the intellegence center, the state Department of Education also is working on these rumored threats "and providing timely information to all school districts as needed."

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Again, the state's intellegence center has not yet identified any specific or credible threats to any schools in Connecticut.

"As always, parents should monitor their children's phones and social media to ensure positive and healthy behaviors," officials said. "Parents are encouraged to utilize monitoring apps such as Bark - Parental Controls to ensure positive behaviors and to consume as much information they can about the apps their children are using. Download the apps that they use. Common Sense Media is a great resource to obtain information on the latest apps, games, and more."

Several local school systems have released statements concerning the TikTok posts.

Naugatuck police said due to an uptick in unrelated threats at schools in the region, police will be increasing "our presence and patrols at Borough Schools in the coming days. While there has been NO threat against Naugatuck Schools, students, or staff, the public can anticipate our presence to increase the community’s sense of safety during the coming school days."

Stratford school officials said in a letter to parents that they are aware of the TikTok challenge and there is "no credibility of immediate threat with specific concern to any of the Stratford Public Schools."

"Nonetheless, this behavior is deplorable and unnecessary," Stratford school officials said. "In Stratford, we will continue to monitor this and take it seriously. We will remain in close contact with our law-enforcement colleagues as we enter the school day tomorrow...

And Wallingford officials said they are increasing their presence at school buildings. Police say no direct threat was made to Wallingford Schools, and that no specific schools or locations were mentioned in the threat. Officers will be at school buildings Thursday and Friday, police said.

"Threats such as these serve as reminders that we all play a role in keeping our students safe," Superintendent Danielle Bellizzi said in an email. "All of us (students, families, and school personnel) need to immediately report any suspicious behavior, threats, or other concerns to school administration and/or law enforcement.

Michelle Rotuno-Johnson, Patch Staff contributed to this story.