The Tik Tok trend, “devious lick” has hit Littleton High School and now there is only one boy’s bathroom in use. At first, the information about parties in the bathroom including spikeball was circulating, but now the bathrooms are closed because of vandalism.
The trend started on September 1 where a TikTok user posted a video taking a box of disposable masks from his backpack, using the caption, “A month into school absolutely devious lick.” This video started the trend of copy-cat videos for getting a “devious lick” in only the first month of school. A few days later, a TikTok user gained over 2.5 million likes with a video showing them removing a hand sanitizer dispenser from their bag.
In Urban Dictionary, the word “lick” is a noun that means: “A successful type of theft which results in an acceptable, impressive and rewarding payday for the protagonist.” This is now a top definition searched on the internet.
When talking to figures in the building, the words “childish” and “grow up” are thrown around in conversation about the situation.
This is a different time as it is a widespread event happening across the country at so many schools and a wide range of types of students. This time, the events are fueled by social media, but also because of the pandemic, many underclassmen have never learned to be high schoolers, especially at a school like Littleton High School.
“You have a unique opportunity at LHS to be part of something great – much more so than at the six other high schools I’ve worked at. When I see Tik Tok videos of kids ‘getting licks’ in their school bathrooms, they’re always doing it with so much anger toward their schools. Even if you’ve had negative experiences with school and see school as ‘the enemy’, know that this school is indeed different from a place you’ve been. Talk to our upperclassmen. Get to know your teachers. Learn about what makes LHS tick – you’re going to see that it can be a home to you, no matter who you are. That’s really the number one thing that makes LHS great,” said assistant principal Chris Colias.
The devious lick problem going on is very much a 7th grade kind of behavior. With the future of education, such as fidget spinners and evil clowns, this is just another trend that will pass soon.
“If you feel lots of pent-up energy and need for social connection due to being stuck at home for so long, get involved in one of the gazillion activities, clubs and athletics we have here rather than scratching that itch at the bathroom ‘kickbacks’ and ‘rodeos’. Middle school is behind you,” said Colias.
Teachers are feeling the need to lock their classrooms everytime they are not in them or there is a substitute teacher. Everytime you ask to leave the classroom for whatever reason, bathroom or filling up your water bottle included, the teachers are required to give you a talk about vandlizing the bathroom.
Social media has a large influence on our society, especially us teenagers, but let’s act the correct way and enjoy our opportunity to be back in the building of LHS.