TikTok may no longer be banned from Texas phones, but it’s still causing controversy in 2025. A TikTok trend landed two Central Texas teens behind bars after they reportedly targeted elementary students.
“Upon arrival, the suspects told officers that they were repeating a TikTok prank,” Kyle PD said in the post.
The two teens approached a 7-year-old and a 9-year-old student who were walking home from Negley Elementary School, the post stated. Both kids quickly told their parents about what was going on and they reported the incident to the Kyle Police Department.
Kyle Police Department Public Information and Community Engagement Specialist, Master PIO Ashlee Bradshaw told MySA the duo did not attempt the TikTok kidnapping prank at any other campus before heading to Negley Elementary School.
Bradshaw reiterated how pranks could get individuals in hot water with law enforcement.
“Pranks that involve a threat or potential threat to other people or property are illegal,” Bradshaw said.
Hays CISD Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy released a letter to Negley Elementary School parents about the incident and keeping kids aware of these situations.
“We are glad the students are OK and we are proud of them for doing the right thing by immediately reporting this to their parents,” Savoy said in the letter. “Please remember to continue to reinforce teaching your children about stranger danger.”
Savoy also thanked the Kyle Police Department who, “Never waiver in their efforts to keep our students safe and keep us informed.”
While content creators were upset about the TikTok ban on January 19, the ban lasted a few hours before President Donald Trump signed an executive order suspending the ban for 75 days so that the China-based company ByteDance could sell the app.