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Coverage dated October 2, 2021 to October 5, 2021

"Educators beware": Warning issued against "slap a teacher" TikTok challenge

Headline from Newsweek

Newest development Oct 6, 2021 · 4 reportsTeachers warned about TikTok slapping challenge

Consequences for participating in the challenge include expulsion or criminal prosecution.

Newsweek's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

3 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. 'Slap a teacher' challenge could result in unexpected consequences

    Headline from Fox26 Houston ·

  2. "Educators beware": Warning issued against "slap a teacher" TikTok challenge

    Headline from Newsweek ·

  3. Newest

    Teachers warned about TikTok slapping challenge

    Headline from The Hill ·

1 report not tied to one development ·

Read the reports

Reports & sources

9 articles, oldest first.

  1. Newsweek

    Elementary school teacher assaulted by pupil in "Slap" TikTok Challenge (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    The South Carolina educator was struck in the back of the head as part of the "Slap A Teacher" TikTok challenge.

  2. Fox26 Houston

    'Slap a teacher' challenge could result in unexpected consequences (opens Fox26 Houston)

    Published

    Fox26 Houston's feed description

    Educators are warning students that an October TikTok challenge can result in unexpected consequences.

  3. Forbes

    Connecticut AG Requests Meeting With TikTok Over ‘Slap A Teacher’ Challenge (opens Forbes)

    Published

    Forbes's feed description

    The move comes as new reports emerge of students taking part in the ‘slap a teacher' challenge across the U.S.

  4. Los Angeles Times

    'Educators beware!' TikTok challenge to slap a teacher prompts urgent warning (opens Los Angeles Times)

    Published

    Los Angeles Times's feed description

    California education leaders say the challenge follows a trend that encouraged school vandalism last month.

  5. Fox News

    South Carolina elementary school student slaps teacher as part of new TikTok challenge (opens Fox News)

    Published

    Fox News's feed description

    Known as "devious licks," a new viral TikTok challenge for the month of October is encouraging students to slap or hit a school staff member from behind and record it on video, officials said.

  6. Newsweek

    "Educators beware": Warning issued against "slap a teacher" TikTok challenge (opens Newsweek)

    Published

    Newsweek's feed description

    Consequences for participating in the challenge include expulsion or criminal prosecution.

  7. The Hill

    Teachers warned about TikTok slapping challenge (opens The Hill)

    Published

    The Hill's feed description

    Teachers are being warned about a viral TikTok challenge that is encouraging students to slap teachers on camera.

  8. Washington Times

    Viral TikTok challenge to ‘slap a teacher’ puts U.S. authorities on high alert (opens Washington Times)

    Published

    Washington Times's feed description

    A viral TikTok trend that challenges students to post videos of themselves slapping teachers this month has put authorities on high alert for classroom assault.

  9. Boston

    Is it time to worry about the TikTok ‘Slap a Teacher' challenge? Some in Haverhill think so. (opens Boston)

    Published

    Boston's feed description

    If vandalizing and stealing school property for the ‘devious licks’ challenge wasn’t enough for students, they are now slapping teachers.

"Educators beware": Warning issued against "slap a teacher" TikTok challenge | Since Then