A new TikTok challenge that raises educational institutions' eyebrows
Authorities are warning parents of a new fad on TikTok that prompts teens to film themselves by vandalism at their school.
The Thousand Islands School Services Center (CSSMI) recently noted the appearance on the popular internet platform of the “Destroy my School” challenge, which incites high school students to commit acts of vandalism at school,
can we read in a message sent to parents last Friday.
"The CSSMI and all the police services of the Partnership-CSSMI committee are taking the situation seriously", we can also read.
The CSSMI does not intend to tolerate vandalism and affirms that there will be sanctions and possible prosecutions if such acts are committed.
"We owe it to ourselves to educate our educational community, parents and students," Julie D'Amours,
communication advisor at the CSSMI, told us by email.
On TikTok, but not yet in Quebec
According to the school service centers we contacted, the phenomenon does not seem to have reached Quebec yet. “We have not been informed that there has been vandalism in connection with this challenge in Quebec for the moment. We ask parents to educate their children, ”said Caroline Lemieux, spokesperson for the Fédération des centers de services scolaire du Québec.
The phenomenon is much more present in the United States, but at least one case was observed in Canada, at Louis Riel School, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, last week, as part of this challenge on TikTok.
Need attention
“Young people need attention and social media allows them to get it. Do you think it would become a fad if it was only published in the local newspaper? There, it goes around the world, ”explains Pierre Ouellet, social worker at the intervenant clinic in Saint-Eustache.
The latter mentions that young people experience a lot of frustrations at this age and that it is often linked to parents and to school since they spend most of their time with them or at school. “Their social networks become their outlet,” he says.
The Thousand Islands School Services Center (CSSMI) recently noted the appearance on the popular internet platform of the “Destroy my School” challenge, which incites high school students to commit acts of vandalism at school,
can we read in a message sent to parents last Friday.
"The CSSMI and all the police services of the Partnership-CSSMI committee are taking the situation seriously", we can also read.
The CSSMI does not intend to tolerate vandalism and affirms that there will be sanctions and possible prosecutions if such acts are committed.
"We owe it to ourselves to educate our educational community, parents and students," Julie D'Amours,
communication advisor at the CSSMI, told us by email.
On TikTok, but not yet in Quebec
According to the school service centers we contacted, the phenomenon does not seem to have reached Quebec yet. “We have not been informed that there has been vandalism in connection with this challenge in Quebec for the moment. We ask parents to educate their children, ”said Caroline Lemieux, spokesperson for the Fédération des centers de services scolaire du Québec.
The phenomenon is much more present in the United States, but at least one case was observed in Canada, at Louis Riel School, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, last week, as part of this challenge on TikTok.
Need attention
“Young people need attention and social media allows them to get it. Do you think it would become a fad if it was only published in the local newspaper? There, it goes around the world, ”explains Pierre Ouellet, social worker at the intervenant clinic in Saint-Eustache.
The latter mentions that young people experience a lot of frustrations at this age and that it is often linked to parents and to school since they spend most of their time with them or at school. “Their social networks become their outlet,” he says.
Warning from the authorities
A spokesperson for the Blainville police - which is part of the CISSMI territory - Sergeant Sarah Tousignant, warns parents and teenagers.
“It's criminal. And even if they are minors, there are many long-term consequences for these young people, ”explains Ms. Tousignant.
She explains that they will not have a criminal record at 18, but that the information will remain on file. “In addition, the videos will stay on social networks. Future employers will be able to view them by doing research. If you are an employer, do you hire the one who did that or the one who has nothing on file? " asks the sergeant.
She asks parents to fully explain the possible long-term consequences of such acts simply for a few fleeting "likes".
A spokesperson for the Blainville police - which is part of the CISSMI territory - Sergeant Sarah Tousignant, warns parents and teenagers.
“It's criminal. And even if they are minors, there are many long-term consequences for these young people, ”explains Ms. Tousignant.
She explains that they will not have a criminal record at 18, but that the information will remain on file. “In addition, the videos will stay on social networks. Future employers will be able to view them by doing research. If you are an employer, do you hire the one who did that or the one who has nothing on file? " asks the sergeant.
She asks parents to fully explain the possible long-term consequences of such acts simply for a few fleeting "likes".
Stéphane Sinclair | Journal of MontreaL
https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2021/09/21/un-nouveau-defi-tiktok-qui-fait-sourciller-les-etablissements-deducation-1
https://www.tvanouvelles.ca/2021/09/21/un-nouveau-defi-tiktok-qui-fait-sourciller-les-etablissements-deducation-1