Connecticut’s Attorney General Addresses TikTok’s “Slap a Teacher” Challenge
William Tong, Connecticut's Attorney General is demanding a meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. Why is that you might ask.
According to a press release from The Office of the Attorney General, William Tong has strongly suggested that the head honcho of TikTok, CEO Shou Zi Chew come to Connecticut to meet with educators and parents to talk about the damaging impact the viral app is having on teenagers.
New Britain High had to close their doors last month due to TikTok's "Devious Licks Challenge" which promotes the destruction of school bathrooms and other school property. Take a look.
Tong is also very concerned about the new TikTok "slap a teacher" challenge which Tong says puts teachers at risk. The following is a direct quote from Tong's letter to Mr. Shou Zi Chew.
The last thing anyone needs right now is for children to be inundated by targeted social media encouraging lawlessness, self-harm and reckless, dangerous pranks. It should not take a nationwide school vandalism spree for TikTok to act.
But wait, there's more! Tong also reminds the TikTock CEO about the viral TikTok videos that resulted in teens overdosing in medications, disfiguring their bodies, and stupidly taking part in dangerous physical acts.
Scientists will tell you that the teenage brain doesn't fully develop until the age of 25. According to the University of Rochester Medical Center, in teens' brains, the connections between the emotional part of the brain and the decision-making center are still developing—and not always at the same rate.
Let's face it, for teens to build up cred with their friends and peers, sometimes following along like sheep with some dumb-ass viral challenge might do the trick but c'mon, you're better than that. To read the complete letter that William Tong sent to the TikTok CEO, click on portal.ct.gov