Tik Tok School Challenges

Why are parents silent?

People everywhere have been talking about the dares that students have been engaged in on the Tik Tok social media platform.

The media has been making the public aware of the recent school challenges. The

“devious lick challenge”

took place during September. All the aftermath that took place in many schools during that month was featured in news stories. And the images were disgusting. Plumbing fixtures including sinks and paper towel dispensers were pulled out of walls and stolen along with other school property. Several students destroyed school bathrooms that were available for their use and other areas of their schools in unspeakable ways. Reports about the full range of disciplinary consequences administered to students involved in defacing and stealing school property were also presented in news reports.

A new and more alarming trend for October has surfaced on the Tik Tok. School leaders and teachers have been among the educators who have been publicly informing students of the consequences they would receive if they participate in the

“smack a staff member or slap a teacher challenge.”

Educators have warned students that engaging in assaults against school staff members would not be tolerated. There have been multiple incidents of school superintendents sharing straightforward warning letters to their families and local news organizations about the actions that would be taken against any student who becomes involved in this dangerous and senseless dare.

School officials and members of the media and in some cases members of law enforcement have done an outstanding job responding to these despicable Tik Tok trends. They have also powerfully communicated proactive strategies they have aggressively used to prevent students from getting involved in these acts.

Sadly, there is one voice that has not been heard as these challenges have emerged.

Where Are You Parents?

As a family engagement influencer, I work to raise awareness of the importance of parents and educators partnering throughout all processes of education. This includes working together as a team to solve problems at school.

Just as school leaders and teachers cannot assume the sole responsibility for educating children and youth because there are roles that parents need to play to support their student’s learning, school officials cannot resolve negative issues involving students alone. Parents need to help stop Tik Tok challenges at school.

Here are some reliable ways that mothers and fathers can put an end to these social media trends.

1. Parents must use good parenting skills from their child’s earliest beginnings. This includes teaching their children appropriate social skills and behavioral expectations. It also includes teaching children the importance of respecting authority. Simply stated, this encompasses home training. When parents maintain high expectations for their children to behave at school, they are more likely to do so.
2. Open lines of communications need to be maintained between parents and their children. Parents need to lead robust conversations with their children about the unacceptable Tik Tok challenges. Mothers and fathers also need to let their children know that they will not tolerate their participation in these dares. Furthermore, it includes reminders to respect all areas of their learning environment along with all school personnel.
3. Parents need to monitor what their students engage in on social media sites. If their children are enrolled in school and live in their home, they must remain aware of what they are involved in on their technology devices.
4. Sometimes parents need help as it relates to raising their children. Parents should reach out to their child’s school for any assistance that is required to help their children learn to adhere to rules. Educators are trained to help families secure any family-based services and interventions that they require.
5. Parents should also reach out to other support systems within their community if they need help controlling their child’s behavior at home. Faith-based leaders, law enforcement, and behavior and mental health providers can either provide help or guide parents to more specific avenues to receive help.

Parent voices just need to be amplified during this time.

The Final Word

Regardless of the age of their students, parents have a responsibility to help stop the terrible school-based Tik Tok challenges.

Putting an end to these social media trends does not exclusively rest with school officials, the media, or law enforcement. Parents need to publicly speak out against these dares and pledge their support to stop these actions.

But what is even more important is what mothers and fathers do within their homes. It’s called

“good parenting.”

This involves teaching their children and reinforcing the expectation for appropriate social conduct at school.

Parents, your help is required.

Here is my golden ticket that helps me accomplish my mission.

Dr. Deborah M. Vereen is a retired Teacher and School Administrator. Her website is www.Drdeborahmvereen.com and her YouTube Channel is https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS1DPhBeA29UlybU9jzDkdQ.