Devious Lick was a viral TikTok trend encouraging theft and vandalism of school property, resulting in arrests, school damage, and platform intervention.
Origin
In early September 2021, TikTok user @jugg4elias posted a video showing a stolen box of disposable masks with caption “A month into school… devious lick 😈.” The slang “lick” (robbery/heist) combined with “devious” created catchy phrase.
The format exploded: students filmed themselves stealing or vandalizing school property — soap dispensers, bathroom fixtures, fire extinguishers, microscopes, projectors. Items ranged from petty to thousands of dollars in damage.
Videos followed template:
- Film item in school (often bathroom)
- Show item being stolen/vandalized
- Caption: “Devious lick” with skull emoji
- Post for clout
Escalation & Damage
Week 1 (Sept 1-7): Soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers
Week 2 (Sept 8-14): Toilets ripped from walls, mirrors smashed, exit signs
Week 3 (Sept 15-21): Fire extinguishers, projectors, microscopes, computers
Schools nationwide reported:
- $100,000+ in damages (some districts)
- Bathroom closures: Schools locked facilities after repeated vandalism
- Police involvement: Arrests for theft, vandalism, destruction of property
- Assembly bans: Schools confiscating phones, holding emergency meetings
Counter-Trend: Angelic Yields
By mid-September, students created “Angelic Yields” — videos showing students donating supplies to schools (tissues, sanitizer, supplies). The wholesome counter-trend gained limited traction but represented community pushback against destruction.
Platform Response
TikTok banned hashtags #DeviousLick, #DeviousLicks on September 15, 2021. The platform removed videos and suspended accounts. Statement: “We expect our community to stay safe and create responsibly.”
However, variants proliferated: #DiabolicalLick, #DastardlyLick, #SneakyLick. TikTok played whack-a-mole with variations for weeks.
Legal Consequences
Documented consequences:
- Arrests: Juvenile charges for theft, vandalism
- Expulsions: Schools removed students involved
- Restitution: Families billed for damages
- Criminal records: Charges affecting college applications
Many participants claimed ignorance of consequences — viewing it as harmless internet trend rather than crime. The disconnect between digital clout and real-world ramifications became cautionary tale.
Cultural Analysis
The trend highlighted:
- Gamification of deviance: Social media turning crime into competition
- Peer pressure mechanics: FOMO driving participation despite risk
- Disconnect between online/offline: TikTok fame vs actual consequences
- Pandemic frustration: Students acting out after disrupted years
Some sociologists connected it to pandemic-era school alienation — students felt disconnected from institutions, viewing schools as abstract rather than communal property.
Sources:
- NBC News: “Devious Licks TikTok Trend Costs Schools Nationwide” (September 2021)
- TikTok Newsroom: Platform Policy Updates (September 2021)
- National Association of School Resource Officers: Impact Report (2021)