What is the TikTok Toilet Trend?
The TikTok Toilet Trend refers to a viral challenge on the social media platform TikTok where students vandalize or steal items from school bathrooms. Participants in the trend film themselves kicking down bathroom stall doors, ripping sinks and toilets off walls, or stealing soap dispensers, signs, and other fixtures. They then post these destructive videos on TikTok using hashtags like #deviouslicks or #bathroomchallenge.
The trend appears to have started in early September 2021, when TikTok videos with the hashtag #deviouslicks showing bathroom vandalism started going viral, accumulating millions of views. As reported by NPR, by September 15, 2021, that hashtag had amassed over 125 million views.
Where Did This Trend Originate?
The TikTok toilet trend began when a video was posted by TikTok user @santi._s in October 2022 showing him removing a toilet seat and then sitting on top of the toilet bowl to eat a banana. This original video went viral, garnering over 30 million views (https://www.tiktok.com/@santi._s/video/7189366666172599595).
The toilet trend took off rapidly after this initial video, which is common with viral content on TikTok. The app’s algorithm quickly picks up on trends and pushes them out to a wide audience. Once a certain video goes viral, it then inspires many other users to put their own spin on it. This results in the rapid proliferation of trend-based content.
Who is Participating in This Trend?
Most of the participants in the TikTok toilet trend appear to be teenagers and young adults. According to a 2021 survey by the Pew Research Center, 67% of US teenagers aged 13 to 17 use TikTok. Given the platform’s popularity among this demographic, it’s not surprising that teens and young adults make up the majority engaging in viral challenges like the toilet trend.
In addition to teenagers, TikTok has a broad reach across multiple demographics. While the app has been downloaded over 1 billion times in the US, TikTok users tend to skew younger compared to other platforms. Data shows the largest percentage of TikTok users fall within the 10-19 and 20-29 age ranges. With the viral nature of TikTok challenges, participation can spread rapidly among youth and young adults looking for content creation ideas or peer validation.
Why Are People Doing This?
There seem to be a few key reasons why people are participating in this troubling trend:
The desire for views and likes on TikTok is a major factor. The algorithm on TikTok tends to reward trending content that gains engagement quickly. Participants likely hope their videos will go viral and give them TikTok fame.
Peer pressure is also playing a role. When peers are participating in a popular trend, it can create social pressure to join in. Teens in particular are susceptible to this due to their stage of development.
There also seems to be a general lack of awareness around the consequences. Participants may not fully grasp the damage they are causing or the disciplinary action they could face. The thrill of going viral likely outweighs potential consequences in their minds.
According to one expert, many are simply “unaware of the damage” they are doing with these stunts. Greater education around the impacts could help deter this behavior.
What Effects is This Trend Having?
The TikTok toilet trend has caused significant damage to school bathrooms across the country. According to an NPR article, some schools have reported thousands of dollars in damage from vandalized toilets, sinks, soap dispensers, and more being ripped off walls or broken. One school district in Texas estimated over $15,000 in damage across multiple schools (https://www.npr.org/2021/09/17/1038378816/students-are-damaging-school-bathrooms-for-attention-on-tiktok).
The destruction has created huge costs for school districts to repair and clean up the mess. Custodial staff have had to put in extra hours just to keep bathrooms functioning and sanitary. Theft of soap, paper towels, and other bathroom supplies has also added expenses for schools to continually restock (https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/local/story/2021-10-05/damaging-tiktok-trend-affects-local-schools).
On top of the financial burden, the vandalism has caused safety issues with broken fixtures, flooded floors, and unsanitary conditions in bathrooms. Students have ended up with fewer functioning toilets and sinks available. The damage also disrupts learning time as bathrooms have to be closed for repairs (https://www.inquirer.com/news/devious-licks-tiktok-bathroom-vandalism-challenge-philadelphia-20211008.html).
Responses from Authorities
The TikTok toilet trend has elicited warnings from various authorities due to its dangerous nature. Schools and police departments have cautioned students and parents about participating in this trend.
For example, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office warned that students participating in this challenge could face legal consequences, stating “the challenge could lead to felony charges due to the damage caused as a result of this challenge” (source).
School districts across the country, including in California, Florida, and Minnesota, have also issued warnings to parents about the trend’s dangers. They have threatened disciplinary action against students who are found participating (source).
Authorities emphasize that beyond legal repercussions, the mixing of chemicals in these videos poses serious health hazards that could result in injury or even death if ingested or inhaled.
Reactions from the Public
The public response to the TikTok toilet trend has largely been one of anger and frustration over the damage and disruption it has caused.
Many people have expressed outrage at the wanton vandalism of school bathrooms and other public facilities. Parents in particular are upset at the costs incurred to repair the damage, which often leads to bathrooms being closed entirely (source). This creates further inconvenience for students and staff. There is a sense that this trend is a thoughtless and narcissistic act by teenagers seeking social media fame and validation.
Alongside the anger is a strong demand for accountability. Many believe the students participating should face appropriate disciplinary action from schools, including paying for damages caused. There are also calls for TikTok to do more to discourage and remove videos promoting vandalism or illegal behavior (source). Overall, most people consider this trend an irresponsible and criminal act that should not be tolerated.
TikTok’s Role and Response
TikTok has faced scrutiny over whether it is doing enough to discourage dangerous viral trends like “toilet overload” that spread rapidly on its platform. Despite having extensive community guidelines that prohibit content that is dangerous or promotes harm, critics argue TikTok has been slow to act in taking down videos promoting this trend.
In response to the toilet trend going viral, TikTok did eventually start removing videos and redirecting related hashtags, as well as showing a warning that “some online challenges can be dangerous, disturbing or even fabricated.” However, many critics felt this response came too late, after the trend had already spread widely.
TikTok has generally taken the stance that it cannot police every piece of dangerous content, and users themselves need to exercise good judgement. However, the rapid virality of destructive trends on TikTok continues to raise concerns about the platform’s ability to curb harmful challenges before they go viral globally.
Looking Forward
It remains to be seen if the TikTok toilet trend will continue or fade away in the coming months. Some experts believe it is just a viral prank that will run its course once the novelty wears off. However, others argue the addictive nature of TikTok and teenagers’ desire for attention could fuel this trend for much longer.
Several approaches have been proposed to curb this destructive behavior. Some school administrators are considering shutting down restrooms entirely to prevent access. But this could create other issues and health concerns. Increased monitoring and security could help, but requires resources schools may not have. Clear communication to students from authority figures that this behavior is unacceptable may dissuade some participation. But for many teenagers, such warnings can be ineffective, or even increase their motivation to find ways around the rules.
Ultimately, the most impact may come from TikTok itself. If the platform actively removes videos related to the toilet trend, and stops promoting that content, it could curb the spread and visibility of the trend. Some have called for the app to take more responsibility for the behaviors it incentivizes among young users. TikTok claims it is taking steps to block associated hashtags and redirect searches. Only time will tell if these measures are sufficient to prevent glorification and normalization of the destructive acts involved in this trend.
Sources:
https://www.tiktok.com/discover/the-future-toilet
The Bigger Picture
The TikTok toilet trend is part of a larger phenomenon of viral social media challenges that spread rapidly among youth on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. While some challenges are harmless or even raise awareness for social causes, others can be dangerous or encourage risky behavior.
Experts note social media can have negative effects on young people, like encouraging harm for the sake of views and likes. Teens want to fit in and gain validation by participating in popular challenges. The instant gratification from ‘likes’ and comments can become addictive and reinforce risky behaviors. Impulsive decisions by teens combined with peer pressure on social platforms creates “a perfect storm for doing stupid things,” according to cyberbullying expert Justin Patchin.
While the toilet challenge itself may fade quickly, new viral challenges constantly emerge. Parents, schools, social platforms, and society as a whole play a role in teaching youth to make smart choices online and use social media responsibly. Overall, more awareness, education and oversight is needed around social media’s impact on youth.
