TikTok Violence Challenge: Arlington Heights Cops, Schools Aware

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — While aware of a national TikTok challenge encouraging students to threaten gun violence and bombings at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17, police tell Patch they have not received "any intelligence suggesting threats directed to any of our local schools."

Nationwide, some districts say they have been "inundated" with questions about the social media school violence rumors and have responded in letters to parents and public statements in the days leading up to Friday.

RELATED: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High Alert

"As always, we ask parents and students to be vigilant while on social media and to immediately report any threatening messages or images to the school and/or local law enforcement," Arlington Heights School District 25 Superintendent Lori D. Bein said in a letter to parents. "Please take this opportunity to continue a conversation with your family on social media use and appropriate online behavior."

While it's unclear where the rumor regarding Friday originated, a news release issued by the Tooele County School District in Utah said the original threat started as a way for students to skip school, but "morphed into something much more disturbing."

"We have been in contact with our schools and school districts and continue to monitor the situation," Arlington Heights Commander Joseph Pinnello said.

Earlier this week, a Glenbrook South student posted a threat of violence on social media. The student made two social media posts, one in which he appears to be holding a handgun, and a second in which he told students to go home. No criminal charges were filed against the student for either post, and there is no credible threat toward GBS staff or students at this time, police said Tuesday.

The student, who was actually holding a CO2 BB-style gun, didn't make any direct threats toward staff or students in the first social media post, according to police. A secondary post, believed to be from the same student, said students "should leave school, go home, and eat." Police also said there were no direct threats made toward GBS staff or students in the second post.

RELATED: Student Holding 'Handgun' On Social Media Not A Threat

In September, another TikTok challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools nationwide. To participate in the challenge, students and TikTok users shattered mirrors, stole soap dispensers, fire alarms and football field turf, and intentionally clogged toilets, all while filming the antics to post on TikTok.