LINCOLN -- From "get ready with me" videos to dances and comedy skits, viral social media trends have taken the internet by storm in recent years.
But now, what the Lincoln Public Schools calls a "disturbing" new trend is wreaking havoc in schools across the nation, including in Nebraska.
The district warned parents Tuesday about a TikTok trend in which students, specifically boys, urinate in public spaces. Schools in the Omaha metro area also are reporting such incidents.
As part of the trend, students film themselves urinating on bathroom walls and floors or trespassing on school property at night to urinate on school grounds.
"Not only is this unsafe and unsanitary, but it creates unnecessary work for our staff as they work to maintain clean school spaces," the Lincoln district said in a statement sent to families.
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Since the TikTok trend went viral this month, the district has reported multiple incidents of students urinating in public spaces, including at Lincoln's Schoo Middle School. Those who participate in the "disruptive behavior" will face disciplinary consequences at school and potentially legal consequences.
In response, the district said it may make temporary adjustments to its restroom protocol if the trend continues, including closing down certain bathrooms and monitoring bathroom areas.
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The district asked families to have a conversation with their children regarding the trend and its implications. Students who witness this behavior or hear about it are encouraged to tell a trusted staff member or report it anonymously on Safe to Say, the district's online reporting tool.
"School safety takes a community," the district said.
TikTok accounts associated with the trend have popped up at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Nebraska Wesleyan University and high schools across the state.
One UNL-focused account features videos of someone urinating outside of residence halls, on campus sidewalks, by the glowing "N" near the alumni center and in front of the Husker Legacy Statue outside Memorial Stadium. A second UNL account shows multiple videos of someone urinating outside Memorial Stadium, while another account has videos at the stadium and in the bushes near Harper, Schramm and Smith halls.
The UNO account has videos in various places on campus, including near Mammel Hall.
Meanwhile, an account associated with Nebraska high schools has videos of someone urinating at Halleck Park in Papillion and on football fields at Millard South High School, Papillion-La Vista High School, Millard West High School and Bellevue East High School.
Other accounts have been made for schools across the state, including Elkhorn South, Kearney, Bloomfield, Westview, Plattsmouth and Guardian Angels Central Catholic high schools.
It's unclear whether the TikTok users are actually urinating or simply spraying water.
Leslie Heying, a spokeswoman for the Sioux City public school district, said Friday she is not aware of any reports of the new TikTok trend taking place at schools in the district.
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