TikTok 'School War' Posts Incite Violence Among London Schoolchildren
Disturbing social media posts calling for organized violent clashes between schoolchildren have spread to multiple London boroughs, with recent incidents reported in Croydon and Hackney. These posts, circulating primarily on platforms like TikTok, are encouraging pupils to engage in what they term "wars" using weapons and recording attacks for online points.
Croydon 'War' Account Urges Weapon Use
An account named 'Croydon War' has been actively promoting violent confrontations between local schools, according to recent reports. The account reportedly divides schools into red and blue teams and specifies that the "game" is intended for students in years nine, ten, and eleven. While the posts claim "no violence," they simultaneously encourage participants to use everyday school items as weapons, including rulers, scissors, metal combs, and compasses against their opponents.
Students are being instructed to record their attacks and share the footage online to earn "extra points," creating a dangerous incentive for documented violence. Parents have expressed alarm online, with one warning: "This is not a game. This is a scheduled street war." The posts suggest various dates for these clashes, including immediate starts and scheduled meetings throughout early March.
Hackney Incident Preceded Croydon Posts
The Croydon situation follows a similar incident in Hackney, East London, where social media posts called for a "Hackney War" between eight different schools. These earlier posts explicitly encouraged Year 9 pupils to "be violent" and bring sharp objects like compasses and metal combs to a McDonald's location on Mare Street. The Hackney posts divided participating schools into red and blue sides and mentioned institutions including City Academy, Cardinal Pole, Haggerston School, and several others.
A concerned grandmother with a grandson in the affected year group reported pleading with schools to notify parents about the threats. She expressed frustration that "everyone seems disinterested" despite the potential seriousness, referencing previous violent incidents at schools like Kingsbury High School as precedent for concern.
Police Response and School Safety Measures
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed awareness of the circulating social media posts and are maintaining close contact with schools across London boroughs. A Met spokesperson stated: "We're aware of social media posts circulating, and we are in close contact with schools across various London boroughs to offer reassurance. Officers will be visible around the schools named at the start and end of the day, and we will respond firmly to any reports of violence or disorder."
Police patrols have been increased around affected schools as a precautionary measure. Meanwhile, Metro has reached out to TikTok for comment regarding the platform's role in hosting and potentially removing such dangerous content. The situation highlights growing concerns about social media's influence on youth violence and school safety in urban areas.
Broader Implications for School Communities
These incidents represent a troubling trend of organized violence being promoted through social media platforms targeting school-aged children. The combination of weapon encouragement, team organization, and documentation requirements creates a particularly dangerous scenario that extends beyond typical schoolyard conflicts.
Educational authorities and law enforcement face the dual challenge of addressing immediate safety concerns while developing longer-term strategies to combat social media-facilitated violence among youth. The recurrence of such incidents across different London boroughs suggests a pattern that requires coordinated response from schools, parents, police, and social media companies.
