South Jordan police warn parents about new TikTok challenge
Oct 11, 2021, 8:02 PM
(Photo Illustration by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Police in South Jordan want parents to talk to their children about the latest TikTok challenge — involving students assaulting teachers.
The South Jordan Police Department warned in a new Facebook post that those “pranks” could lead to felony charges for any kids who try it.
TikTok trend worries South Jordan police
Police Sgt. Eric Anderson told Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News on KSL NewsRadio no cases have turned up so far in South Jordan. However, surveillance video of a previous TikTok challenge led to charges being filed against some students. They filmed themselves vandalizing or stealing school property.
“I can tell you, in the vandalism case, I think we were looking at $13,000 in damage, which is a felony — I mean, it’s a serious offense,” Anderson said.
If a student assaulted a teacher, Anderson says investigators and prosecutors would treat that seriously.
“It’s severe enough that they would sit before a judge, guaranteed,” he said.
He encouraged parents to check what their kids are doing on social media.
“Everybody’s on their cell phones anymore,” Anderson said. “And so it’s really up to the parents to pay attention.”