By Craig Anderson

DOVER — At least two Kent County-based school districts this week warned students and families about the latest TikTok challenge, called “Slap a Teacher.”

The Capital and Caesar Rodney school districts said Delaware State Police had contacted districts across the state regarding the trend fueled by videos shared through the social media platform.

Those districts, as well as Appoquinimink and Milford, said Thursday that they have not had specific incidents against teachers, but were aware of the concern. Capital School District described the challenge as “disturbing.”

The Delaware State Police did not respond with details as of press time Thursday.

Capital posted a message on its district website that cited the issues and read in part:

“We stand united with our educators. Any acts that reflect the intentional harm of any members of our community, especially our educators, is unwelcomed and will result in consequences. Anyone participating in harmful Tik-Tok challenges or other activities that involve violence, injury, or damage to school property face disciplinary action.

“Senators care about each other. This has been a long standing tradition. It is our expectation that student behavior reflects the portrait of a Senator, which includes being responsible, respectful, and compassionate. Senator Nation will not participate in hurtful or harmful behavior. More importantly, it will not be tolerated within any Capital School District Schools.”

Capital said it shared information via email and SMS Alert.

Also, according to the district in an emailed response to questions, “Our chief executive officer and superintendent will also incorporate this communication within the update that is shared with members of the Senator Nation each week.”

Caesar Rodney alerted its school community Wednesday afternoon via posts on its Facebook page and district website.

The district’s post said it “wants to make it perfectly clear that we value our educators and their safety is a high priority.

“Students that participate in any act that involves violence, injuries or causing damage to school property faces disciplinary action up to and including removal from school. ... Further understand that any student touching any educator in a harmful or offensive manner faces arrest, criminal charges and prosecution.

“It is our sincere hope that CR students will demonstrate good judgment and not take part in any of these activities, or others that are not consistent with the values of the Rider community.”

While it has not experienced any issues with the latest “Slap a Teacher” trend, the Appoquinimink School District has been affected by previous TikTok themes, said Director of Safety, Security and Operations Thomas Poehlmann.

As the school year began, a school resource office notified the district of a challenge that had gone viral on the social media platform TikTok. “Called ‘devious licks,’ it involves the theft or vandalism of property which is then publicly displayed by the perpetrator using the TikTok platform. While the trend started at the college level, police felt it had the potential to gain popularity in high schools this year.

“As a precaution, building administrators received an alert and were asked to be on the lookout.”

So far this school year, Mr. Poehlmann said, “Several schools have experienced several missing items — faucet handles at one building, soap dispensers at another. However, we can’t verify that these incidents were a result of the TikTok phenomenon since a certain amount of damage occurs each year in the bathroom.

“This misbehavior is not unique to Appoquinimink School District,” he said.

Parents, students and staff have access to an anonymous reporting app, STOPit!, which receives reports 24/7, according to Mr. Poehlmann.

“The app is free and in wide use by our learning community,” he said. “We have not received any reports of vandalism related to the TikTok challenge over the STOPit! app.”

Mr. Poehlmann said it was the district’s SRO at Middletown High who informed the district of the latest trend encouraging action toward teachers.

Appoquinimink continues to monitor the situation.

“Should the need arise, we will launch a communication to families that addresses the matter and will also work to counsel students,” Mr. Poehlmann said. “The consequences for vandalism would be considered criminal mischief and are covered in the district’s Student Code of Conduct.”

Regarding any TikTok concerns, Lake Forest School District Superintendent Steven Lucas issued a statement that read:

“The Lake Forest School District is aware of social media campaigns which are encouraging students to make poor choices. In many cases these choices violate the District’s student code of conduct.

“The students in Lake Forest are expected to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct and behavior at all times. It is our belief Lake Forest students understand the expectations, but on the rare occasions when students make poor choices, the District handles those cases in accordance with District policy.”

Milford School District spokeswoman Trish Gerken said, “We have not been contacted and fortunately we have not had any issues with this.”

When it comes to concerns, the Capital district said, “Students and parents should continue to follow the existing protocols of contacting their teachers and our building level administrative teams with any concerns.”

All middle school and high school leaders will be asked to mention this in their morning announcements on Friday, Capital said. The district said it did not expect any issues to arise among its schools.

When it comes to monitoring social media, Capital said, “The information regarding this issue stemmed from notification from our law enforcement partners throughout the state. Again, there have been no specific issues relating to this disturbing Tik-Tok challenge within the Capital School District, but we stand united with our educators for their safety.”

As the communication went out earlier Thursday, Capital said at just before 3 p.m. that they were not aware of citizens responding to the alerts.

“Again, we want to remain proactive, show our solidarity with our educators, and will continue to be responsive as our stakeholders express concern.”