A new TikTok trend at high schools could have criminal consequences: online safety expert

In this Aug. 29, 2013 file photo, students walk through the halls during an open house for incoming students at a high school in Philadelphia. (The Associated Press, file)

An expert in youth online and social media safety says high school students who partake in the TikTok trend known as “the pisser” may not understand the consequences they’ll face if caught, which could include criminal charges.

“We’re looking at potential trespassing and mischief,” Paul Davis told CTVNews.ca in an interview on Wednesday. “I know personally of two suspensions that have occurred at school, and … I’ve assisted one principal in figuring out who the individual was that was at the school.”

The trend, which began on TikTok in the U.S. last month, involves anonymous users filming themselves apparently urinating on or around school property, with background audio from the TV show Dexter of a man saying: “Tonight’s the night and it’s going to happen again and again.”

The videos are often taken outside schools at night, which amounts to trespassing in most jurisdictions. Davis, who travels the country educating children and youth about digital safety, said he began seeing “pisser” videos in Ontario early this month.

“I’ve noticed typically, that when trends occur on TikTok in the U.S. it takes about three weeks for it to hit Canada, and this was on par. It was about three weeks, maybe four weeks, before I started seeing it,” he said.

“The original one was based on someone walking up to university property and either urinating or pretending to urinate using a water bottle. But of course, you can’t see it. All you see is the camera in the building, and then you see a spray, if you will.”

In Canada, Davis said he’s also seen videos in Quebec and Alberta, adding that the “copycat trend” is spreading quickly.

“So what kids are doing, they’re seeing it and then they’re doing it at their school. If you look at the comments, other kids say, ‘Hey, please come to my school, we need you,’” he said.

“Then a copycat at that school creates an account.”

A search on TikTok Thursday found dozens of “pisser” accounts associated with different schools or locations, with videos taken both outside and inside high schools and universities.

A spokesperson for the Toronto Police Service told CTVNews.ca they were not aware of any charges laid in connection with the trend but noted that urinating in public is illegal under Ontario’s Provincial Offences Act.

Ontario’s Peel Regional Police told CTVNews.ca it is aware of the trend, and that the service’s investigations bureau was looking into an incident in Mississauga, though it couldn’t confirm if it was directly related to the trend itself, as the matter remains under investigation.

‘Responsibility for their actions’

Davis said that during his presentations to students, he spends a lot of time talking about what he calls fact versus fiction when it comes to online footprints.

“I tell them, ‘I know you guys believe things disappear on Snapchat, and they don’t. I know you believe you’re invincible when you pick up your phone and you’re in your bedroom by yourself when you’re not,’” he said.

“There’s a bunch of slides in my presentation which talk about digital trails and how technology works, and it gets technical, because what I would like to instill in kids is their responsibility for their actions each and every day.”

He also reminds students that in most cases, their phones are technically owned by their parents, and that any police investigation involving a mobile phone starts with the owner first before reaching the device’s primary user.

“When you’re using that device, what you’re doing has a greater impact than just yourself. It goes beyond you. It goes to your parents, your guardians, your caregivers. It can go to your school,” said Davis.

In a public Facebook post on Oct. 5, Davis warned school principals about the trend. The post received multiple comments from parents saying their children had told them about similar videos being recorded at or around their school.

Davis said that he hopes his frank discussion with students about the consequences of their actions online will deter most from participating in this trend and others like it, though there will likely continue to be some who ignore his message.

“They know it’s happening… but with education, they’ll know to avoid it. If there’s no education in place, they may challenge the system and go and do it,” he said.

“So, we’re not going to change humanity. We’re going to change the majority with education and instilling responsibility for their actions, knowing that there are consequences to poor choices.”