Latest social media challenge ‘devious licks’ might cost all of us

MEDFIELD, Mass. — The social media challenges continue trying to top themselves. We have seen people eating laundry detergent and stepping over crates, but this one isn’t to hurt themselves but to damage or vandalize property, and it has kind of a weird name.

When you see people posting about a “devious lick,” it means they’ve likely broken or stolen something on camera for likes.

“Stealing people’s prosthetic legs, stealing subway signs, I think it’s a little dumber than sacrificing your own body for a challenge,” said Medfield student Jake Koterba. “I’ve seen people walk away with entire railings before and those can cost thousands of dollars. At our school even, it’s been all the soap dispensers.”

In that post in the Medfield High School bathroom, the person who posted it wrote their vandalism wasn’t devious enough. Students we spoke to believe the post is what led to the Assistant Principal Brenda Hagan sending out this email Tuesday:

Good evening, students,

I am disappointed to report that the boys bathroom across from room 227 has been vandalized. It will be closed until further notice.

We expect our high school students to treat our building and our custodians with respect; this behavior does not reflect the values of our community.

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“I’m appalled because it is against all the values that we have,” said Medfield parent Hilli Passas. “It puts a whole new spin on things and creates mistrust in the community.”

Some students around the country have posted about their school locking up equipment or requiring transparent bags, and some said the viral trend isn’t just stealing school property but also personal belongings.

“I was at Westwood High School, and, after the game, someone took my really nice soccer ball that I’ve had for years,” Koterba said. “The licks just cost people money, [the] school money and the town’s money, and it is just coming out of all of our pockets.”

Some of the TikTok videos have millions of views, but when the site caught wind of the trend, it removed several of the videos. We reached out to Medfield Superintendent for comment but have not heard back.

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