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Police say TikTok challenges could lead to criminal charges

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NEWS RELEASE
TIMMINS POLICE SERVICE
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The Timmins Police Service finds it necessary to issue a public advisory in regards to intentional acts of damage, theft, or assault linked to any partial or full participation in a social media-inspired challenge targeting intermediate and high school students.

The Timmins Police Service has been made aware that a monthly feature on the social media platform “TikTok” challenges young persons to take part in activities that are, at the very least, unwelcome, or in certain circumstances, meet the threshold of a criminal act.

It would appear that, depending on the month, young persons are enticed or encouraged to perform some sort of action against private property, school property, or another unwitting person in order to acquire temporary and fleeting social media attention.

The Timmins Police Service urges all parents and guardians to engage in a healthy dialogue with your intermediate or high school aged child to make them aware of the possible criminal aspects and the obvious repercussions attached.

In most cases, the suggested activity is criminal in nature, and could result in a Young Offender Criminal Record which has the potential to limit employment opportunities, hinder travel, and most certainly sully an individuals reputation.

The basic premise of the social media challenge is to take an active part in some form of activity that could involve a criminal aspect in terms of mischief to property, common assault, or sexual assault against an unconsenting person and having the activity recorded and uploaded on to the social media platform as part of the misguided challenge.

It would appear that this “challenge” is gaining undeserved and decidedly illicit attention resulting in damage to certain area schools.

Any participation in such activities can trigger a police investigation by the Timmins Police Service.

Should the evidence support the prospect of conviction in criminal court, the applicable charges will be laid.

Anyone with information about persons tampering or damaging school property or resulting in any form of assault is encouraged to report the matter to the Timmins Police at 705-264-1201, or to call in their information to the Crime Stoppers tip line of 1-800-222-8477 or by means of www.p3tips.com

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