Did TikTok craze lead to vandalism of Inverness school loos?
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Social media is suspected as partly to blame for a spate of vandalism at an Inverness secondary school.
Toilets on three floors of Inverness Royal Academy have been vandalised and shut down because of what was called “repeated incidents of vandalism and antisocial behaviour”.
It has prompted rector Nigel Engstrand to write a letter to parents/carers where he explains the extent of the damage and suggests an explanation for pupils' actions.
He stated: "We have some suspicion that – in part – this spate of antisocial behaviour might have originated in a viral TikTok meme that was circulating in the United States last year.
"The challenge encouraged students to damage school equipment and post footage on TikTok. Videos of vandalism in school toilets were circulating and racking up millions of views before being banned by TikTok.
"Similar behaviour has been experienced in other secondary schools both locally and in other areas of Scotland."
Councillor Duncan Macpherson vowed to contact Police Scotland and several local community councils to “send out a strong message to parents and youths of the huge financial costs that their unlawful and irresponsible acts of vandalism have caused”.
Highland Council hopes that the toilets will be repaired and reopened this week but said in the meantime there were enough facilities for pupils.
