HUBER HEIGHTS — Huber Heights City Schools are reaching out to parents after several viral social media trends have led to concerning student behavior.
In a letter to parents, Superintendent Mario Basora asked parents to assist the district’s staff by “having a conversation with [their] student about their social media accounts and respecting not only the school spaces in which they learn, but also the people who they share their day with.”
>> Schools warn of TikTok challenge that is leaving restrooms damaged, punishment that could result
Basora said a challenge on the social media app TikTok encouraged students to “steal and destroy school property.” It resulted in several schools in the district, and around the country, being vandalized and forcing schools to “create a schedule for bathroom use or use hallway monitors to reduce opportunities for destructive behavior.”
Additionally, school officials said they have become aware of new challenges that encourage students to smack a staff member and kiss someone’s girlfriend at school.
“We are extraordinarily concerned that continued student participation in these challenges will not only disrupt our learning environment, but also increase our students’ risk of suspension or expulsion,” Basora wrote, noting that students who inappropriately touch or place their hands on a staff member or student could face consequences from the Huber Heights Police Department.
A similar warning was issued to parents in the Kettering City School District in September, asking them to talk with their children after school bathrooms had their soap dispensers pulled of the walls and taken off school property.
News Center 7 previously reported that a TikTok spokesperson said the social media platform was removing videos that depict damaging or destroying bathrooms.
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