Slapping teachers – latest Tik Tok challenge – has educators on edge

Whether they materialise or not, Tik Tok challenges represent a threat that schools are taking seriously. Last week, South Florida school districts posted videos and emails accompanied by robocalls encouraging parents to talk to their children about responsible use of social media, and warning of legal consequences for those who take up the ‘slap a teacher’ challenge. — Dreamstime/TNS

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: Broward, Florida, schoolteachers are bracing for the latest online “Tik Tok challenge”, though some officials think it might be more rumour than reality.

Fresh on the heels of September’s viral challenge encouraging students to steal items or vandalize school bathrooms, the Broward Teacher’s Union sent a note to its members countywide this week warning of October’s follow-up: “Slap a teacher”.