'Educators beware!' TikTok challenge to slap a teacher prompts urgent warning in the US

Online, teachers and others have taken to TikTok to discourage users from participating in a challenge to slap their teachers while recording it on video. — Photo by ROBIN WORRALL on Unsplash

Educational leaders throughout the state are urgently warning teachers and school staff about a disturbing TikTok challenge that emerged this month urging students to slap teachers while recording it on a video.

"Educators beware!" the California Teachers Assn. — the largest and politically influential teacher union in the state — posted online Tuesday. Referencing an earlier TikTok trend, the memo said: "As if widespread vandalism in our schools last month wasn't enough, the same 'challenge' circulating on social media networks TikTok and Twitter is now calling for students to 'slap a staff member.'"