TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High Alert

ACROSS AMERICA — Multiple law enforcement agencies across the country say they are monitoring reports of a TikTok challenge that has encouraged students to threaten gun violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17.

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.

While it's unclear where the December rumor 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."

Some school districts say they are planning for an increased police presence on many campuses.

Andover, Mass., is among communities where police are planning extra patrols in light of the threats.

"While we do not anticipate anything in our schools or district, we would be remiss if we were not extra vigilant regarding safety and security at our schools tomorrow as a result of this TikTok challenge," Magda Parvey, superintendent of Andover Public Schools, wrote in a letter to parents.

Officials at the Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Maryland said they are monitoring the situation and will take action as appropriate.

"We have been in contact with county police and the Maryland Center for School Safety," Anne Arundel County Public Schools spokesman Bob Mosier said in an email. "While there appears to be no credibility to any threat at this time and, to be clear, there are no threats mentioning any of our schools, we are remaining in contact with our law enforcement partners as we do on a regular basis."

According to some reports, the December challenge is one of several in a string of monthly challenges stemming from the social media platform.

In September, another challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools. 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.

RELATED: TikTok 'Devious Licks Challenge' Pushes Schools To Brink

"We want to remind all students and parents when you see a threat, report it, do not repost it," Tooele's statement reads. "Reposting a threat serves no purpose other than adding to the fear and uncertainty of the situation."

On Tuesday, the principal of Granger High School, also in Utah, said the school had been "inundated" with rumors about a possible threat of violence.

"We take every potential threat very seriously and continue to investigate," David Dunn said in a statement. "Out of an abundance of caution, we will have an increased police presence on our campus over the next few days."

Many districts are asking their residents to immediately report specific threats or any suspicious activity to local police or school administrators.