Vandalism At Greenwich High School Caused By Viral TikTok Trend

GREENWICH, CT — About $500 worth of damage has been done to Greenwich High School soap dispensers because of a trend on TikTok called "Devious Licks", according to Thomas Pereira, Dean of Student Life at the high school.

The trend, which has gone viral on the video-sharing social media platform, involves the stealing, breaking or destroying of school property by students, who then upload videos of the acts onto the app.

Cases of vandalism have cropped up at schools around the country and elsewhere in Connecticut.

In an attempt to stop the trend and others from emerging, Pereira wrote a letter to GHS parents this week alerting them about what's been going on.

"As a school community, we cannot understand why students would want to participate in such acts, but to us, this trend speaks to a larger issue - the potential dangers of social media," Pereira wrote. "We totally understand that due to the pandemic, many of our students may be seeking outlets to feel like they belong, or to be seen, but there are many positive avenues that we can offer them."

Pereira highlighted the many clubs and athletic teams at the school, as well as the new Flex Time and Homeroom additions to the weekly schedule.

Every day from 2:45-3:15 p.m., time is dedicated for students to access activities beyond the normal school day.

About 16 Homerooms are scheduled for each grade level throughout the year. During Homeroom, students participate in a variety of activities "to help build a positive school-wide culture and develop the personal and interpersonal capacities outlined in the Vision of the Graduate."

"As a school community, we seek to build relationships with our students since we understand that when students feel valued and appreciated, they are less likely to destroy property or participate in these challenges," Pereira added.

Pereira encouraged parents to speak to their children about good and respectful behavior.

GHS will continue to investigate the recent vandalism, Pereira noted.

"Based upon our investigation, we will apply necessary and appropriate consequences, which could include the involvement of law enforcement or repayment for the destroyed property," he wrote.

In his letter, Pereira attached a link to a parent's guide to TikTok.