When it comes to TikTok trends, it seems like anyone could become famous from one video. Even though trends can quickly come and go, all it takes is one post to get enough traction to gain a ton of followers. And since the trends don't last long, another one is always just around the corner to get millions of views.

This latest TikTok trend is all about a "lick," but what does that even mean? The term has actually been around for a while and it may be older than the app itself. Here's what to know about it and how it got so popular.

What does "lick" mean on TikTok?

When you say you got a "lick" on TikTok, it means you stole something. According to Know Your Meme, it all began in September 2021 when the user @dtx.2cent posted a video that started the trend. With text over the screen that says "only a month into school and got this absolute devious lick," the user pulls a hand sanitizer dispenser out of their backpack.

dtx.2cent's TikTok now has over 11 million views and tons of people have already re-created the video. People are stealing things from their campuses like microscopes, signs, a box of hand sanitizer, and more, all to the same audio by a user named @minttea. @dtx.2cent has continued to take other things like a soap dispenser, a temperature gun, and more.

But another popular "lick" video takes it to a whole other level. TikTok user @support.audible.com said they saw Shang-Chi and took a part of the movie theater's wall home with them. Know Your Meme says this video got 260,000 views in one day, and it now has over 408,000 views.

What actually is a "lick"?

Actually, "lick" has been used in this way previously. It's been slang for years now to say that if you "caught a lick" you stole something successfully. Cardi B even has a song called "Lick" with her now-husband Offset from back in 2017 about this exact thing.

In some cases, a "lick" isn't exactly a robbery. It's more of a situation in which someone comes into a lot of money at one time. Cardi's video spans both meanings of the word. While she does sing about making lots of money and being able to afford whatever she wants, the concept of the music video is about robbing a casino.

My DD was allowed access at 13. It was fun at first until she got bored and found some content that made her uncomfortable. She deleted the app. I was monitoring her phone periodically, which you need to do.

Google “devious lick.”

Tells you all you need to know about giving 12 year-olds TikTok.

Not TikTok because the app collects everything on the phone. Horrible app, but I also don't have many apps. Definitely not FB.

Can she just watch tiktok videos on youtube?

What age would be ok then to let them have it? I have a 12 year old and am not letting her so far have it - but just curious when I should.

Following “Devious Licks,” I thought there was some new “licks” trend on TikTok promoting school vandalism?

Anyone know?

Nope. Absolutely all the research I've ever seen says that social media use is not good for tweens and teens. Your daughter already suffers from anxiety, and social media is known to exacerbate that.

I gave in to my 12 year old’s pleas a few months into the pandemic because she said she felt left out and I so wish I could go back and say no. She’s limited to an hour a day, which is still too much, but far, far less than her friends seem to be on there. I just really, really don’t like what I’ve seen. (And I’ve seen a small fraction of what she has.) If you give in, just make sure to limit the time.

Is this what you want your kid doing online? (From FFX county superintendent Brabrand last week)

“ Dear Families,

It has come to our attention that a current trend has emerged on the social media platform TikTok, calling for students to vandalize schools and/or steal school property, then promote the acts under the tag, "Devious Licks."

Unfortunately, schools across FCPS have been affected by this trend, with destructive acts that have caused significant and expensive damage, particularly in our student bathrooms.

Thankfully, TikTok confirmed late yesterday that it has banned any content related to this trend as a violation of the platform’s community guidelines.

To address this issue, our middle and high schools have been forced to reallocate staffing resources from other important roles to increase bathroom monitoring.

I ask you to talk with your child and reinforce the message that this is inappropriate behavior with serious consequences, including disciplinary action under the Student Rights and Responsibilities.

I appreciate your support and I believe that working together, our community can stop these troubling actions.


Sincerely,

Dr. Scott Brabrand
Superintendent

Awaiting the flood of checked-out, “cool parents” telling you TikTok is just fine.

I am sure they see just “everything” their kids are doing online (hint: their kids are smart enough to hide things from these parents).

Be the cool parent if you want. Let us know in a few years how that works out for you.

My 12yo is like yours. She feels left out. But for now we are holding the line.

Our son (12) does not have a phone.

Many of his friends have phones and TikTok.

The friends vandalized the school bathroom because TikTok told them to. Then Fairfax County sent every parent an email about this TikTok craze, confirming its true.

Weigh this for your own child in deciding about TikTok:

Vandalism and porn vs. whatever “value” or enrichment you think TikTok offers to your child’s life.

Anonymous wrote:My 12yo DD is pleading for access to tiktok. She has no other social media. I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. My instinct is to say no but I realise she is already feeling left out as her friends share songs and dances. I realise it’s only meant to be for ages 13 and over. For those children already have access, please share your experience including downsides and precautions you took. If I say no, it needs to be a considered no. For further background, she already suffers from anxiety and has weekly therapy sessions.

My 11 and 13 year old DDs use it. It is fine. I check their phones regularly and have never seen anything concerning.

I looked around on it. Without much effort I found a lot of hard core porn.

My 12yo DD is pleading for access to tiktok. She has no other social media. I feel like I’m damned if I do and damned if I don’t. My instinct is to say no but I realise she is already feeling left out as her friends share songs and dances. I realise it’s only meant to be for ages 13 and over. For those children already have access, please share your experience including downsides and precautions you took. If I say no, it needs to be a considered no. For further background, she already suffers from anxiety and has weekly therapy sessions.