Tong seeks meeting with TikTok after school shut down

HARTFORD — Connecticut’s attorney general is asking leadership of TikTok, a video-sharing service, to come to the state and meet with educators and parents to discuss the “harmful impact” the popular app is having on the mental and physical safety of students and educators.

Attorney General William Tong, who sent a letter on Monday to TikTok’s CEO, said there’s concern that a current viral challenge known as “Slap a Teacher” could put educators at risk. His request comes after New Britain High School temporarily closed last month due to student misbehavior that was attributed in part to the viral “Devious Licks” TikTok challenge, which led to damage and vandalism of schools across the U.S.

Students took videos of themselves vandalizing school bathrooms and stealing soap dispensers, among other acts of destruction.

“With new reports of the “Slap a Teacher” challenge, it is clear that TikTok is unable to control the spread of harmful content.” wrote Tong, noting that TikTok had identified and removed “Devious Licks” content from its platform. “Simply put, whatever TikTok has been doing to enforce its terms of service has not been working and merits serious review and reform.”

A message was left seeking comment with a TikTok spokesperson.