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There’s a reason TikTok’s viral trends are so irresistible. With a swipe, you can watch someone nail a dance move, pull off a crazy prank, or transform a school bathroom into a sparkling oasis—or, in some cases, something far uglier. The draw isn’t just the entertainment; it’s the sense of belonging, the rush of likes, and the thrill of going viral overnight. Teens and young adults especially love the chance to be part of something bigger, riding the wave of whatever challenge, joke, or “curse” is sweeping For You pages across the globe. But sometimes, what starts as a fun moment of internet fame turns into something darker, more destructive, and even dangerous.
Take the "devious lick" trend, for example. In September 2021, a TikTok user named jugg4elias posted a video allegedly showing a box of disposable masks stolen from school, paired with the caption, “A month into school... devious lick.” That single post ignited a wildfire. Within days, middle and high school students across the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany were posting their own clips—some showing off soap dispensers, mirrors, and even urinals ripped from school bathrooms. Others “upped” the ante by stealing exit signs or interactive whiteboards. These actions weren’t harmless mischief. They resulted in real-world consequences: arrests of multiple students, criminal charges for theft and vandalism, and thousands of dollars in damages. In British Columbia, students tore out 42 soap dispensers from school bathrooms in just one week. In Boone County, Kentucky, eight students faced criminal charges linked directly to the trend.
This problem didn’t just appear out of nowhere. TikTok’s design—algorithm-driven feeds that amplify content based on engagement—made it easy for these trends to go viral fast. The more sensational or outrageous the video, the more likely it was to be seen, liked, and copied. Research cited by the Wikipedia page on misinformation shows that false or misleading content, especially when emotionally charged or visually shocking, spreads faster and further on social media than accurate information. Social media algorithms, according to studies referenced in the source, are designed to increase user engagement, which can mean promoting sensational or harmful content even if it breaks rules.
As soon as schools and law enforcement realized what was happening, they reacted. In Florida, for instance, three high school students were arrested for damaging and stealing soap dispensers. In Arizona, a 15-year-old was arrested for stealing a toilet paper dispenser. In Ontario, bathrooms were left unusable after students clogged all the toilets and urinals and wrecked fixtures. Some schools began warning students that participation could lead to suspension or legal action. But the crackdown only added fuel to the fire, with more students eager to outdo each other on camera for viral fame.
The consequences extended far beyond broken bathrooms. Families faced unexpected bills for property damage. School staff had to spend time and money on repairs instead of teaching. In some cases, police involvement meant permanent marks on students’ records. The trend even prompted a backlash online and in traditional media, with some outlets and commentators describing it as a “moral panic.” Journalist Brock Colyar investigated several so-called “devious lick” videos and found that at least three were staged. One video, allegedly showing a stolen microscope, was actually filmed at home with the student’s personal property.
The fallout didn’t stop with stolen soap dispensers. In May 2025, another TikTok trend known as the “Chromebook Challenge” emerged. This one involved vandalizing school-issued Chromebooks by inserting conductive materials like pencil leads or paper clips into USB ports, sometimes starting fires. School districts across the United States reported property damage and fire hazards as a result. The scale and escalation of these trends show how easily a viral TikTok “challenge” can cross the line from pranks to dangerous, even criminal, behavior.
Not everyone agrees on who’s to blame. Some point to TikTok’s algorithm and moderation policies. The platform did respond: the original “devious lick” video was removed within two weeks, and by September 15, 2021, TikTok had banned the trend entirely, redirecting searches about it to an error message about community guidelines. The hashtag had already amassed over 235 million views. Critics argue that the ban came too late, after the trend had already peaked. Others blame the news media and even rival tech companies for fueling panic. In March 2022, The Washington Post reported that Meta Platforms, Facebook’s parent company, had paid for campaigns to highlight TikTok’s negative trends—including devious licks—in an effort to sway public opinion.
There’s also debate about what’s real and what’s staged. Some students, eager for clout, faked their “licks,” using props or filming at home. As the original trend faded, a countertrend called “angelic yields” popped up. In these videos, students anonymously donated soap, toilet paper, or even cash to their schools, sometimes to replace stolen items or just to do good. The “angelic yield” trend was a direct response to the negativity, trying to flip the script and restore some sense of community.
But the danger goes well beyond property damage. Some challenges on TikTok have been linked to real harm and even death. The “Blackout Challenge,” which involves holding your breath or asphyxiating yourself until you pass out, led to lawsuits after at least seven children died attempting it. In one instance, a 10-year-old girl from Pennsylvania died after participating in the challenge, and her mother filed a lawsuit against TikTok. The United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled in August 2024 that TikTok could be sued for recommendations made by its algorithm, not just for user-uploaded content. According to The Independent, the challenge was reportedly linked to the deaths of 20 children between 2021 and 2022, 15 of whom were under the age of 12.
Governments and courts have started to step in. In March 2024, Italy fined TikTok €10 million—about $11 million—for failing to prevent the spread of harmful content, including the “French scar” challenge that encouraged users to bruise their faces. In November 2024, Venezuelan authorities fined TikTok $10 million after viral challenges were linked to the deaths of three children. French courts began criminal investigations into TikTok’s algorithms and their potential link to youth suicides. In the United States, the Attorneys General of thirteen states plus the District of Columbia filed lawsuits in October 2024, alleging TikTok’s app was “intentionally designed to be addictive for children and harms their mental health.”
The question of responsibility is fiercely debated. Some parents argue TikTok should do more to screen and block dangerous content, especially for minors. TikTok claims it takes immediate action once trends are identified as harmful, but critics argue its measures are often reactive, not preventative. The fact that harmful videos can be removed after they’ve been viewed by millions means the damage is already done. Others point to the role of parents, schools, and even news coverage in amplifying the panic or failing to educate kids about online risks.
The TikTok community itself is split. Some creators use their platforms to call out or debunk dangerous trends, urging followers not to participate. Others joke about “cursed” trends, or join in for the views, even if the original challenge has already been taken down. There’s ongoing debate about what counts as freedom of expression versus what’s simply reckless or harmful.
The community is still arguing: Should TikTok be held liable for the consequences of viral trends? Can algorithm-driven platforms ever respond quickly enough to prevent harm? And is it possible to stop the next “cursed” trend before it starts—or are these risks just part of life online?
If TikTok bans a trend but it still spreads through screenshots, re-uploads, or word of mouth, who really holds the power: the platform, the users, or the culture around going viral?