North Carolina
North Carolina middle school takes bathroom mirrors away from 'TikTok-addicted' students
Are TikTok trends going too far? If they’re causing a disturbance in schools, then maybe.
We all love a little scroll every now and then, and some of us might even go as far as to upload a clip on the whim.
But it’s not like we’re doing it at school, or work… is it? Well, dear reader, apparently we are.
After middle schoolers in North Carolina couldn’t stop filming TikTok videos in the bathrooms, they’ve now had their mirror privileges revoked.
According to the Alamance-Burlington School System, Southern Alamance Middle School removed the restroom mirrors to deter students from leaving class to shoot clips.
They even detailed how some pupils cut class and visited the bathroom up to nine times a day.
Les Atkins, the public relations officer for the school system, told WFMY: “Students were going to the bathroom for long periods of time and making TikTok videos.”
Atkins went on to explain that the mirrors had been featured a number of times in the videos on the app and that even though it’s an odd punishment, it’s already working.
Atkins said: “Not as many visits to the bathroom, not staying as long and students are held accountable and then when there’s accountability you see a great difference.”
The school district also created a new system for digital passes which allows students to check in and out of class so that the school can track how long they are spending away from the classroom during the day.
According to the school, these ‘adjustments’ that have been made are just one step toward reaching the district’s goal of educating children about what it calls ‘digital citizenship.’
Atkins explained: “We’re trying to educate students: we all have cell phones now. We have to learn to use them. We have to learn when to put them down.”
This news comes just months after experts in the US tech space warned that Gen Z were growing addicted to TikTok and that this reliance was growing.
They argued that the continual scrolling and mindless watching associated with the app would force them into dependence.
The app has since been banned in Montana, which is now the first to do so as they claim to be saving their constituents from ‘Chinese Communist Party surveillance.’
And this is far from the first instance of TikTok being in hot water.
ClaimsHero, a company that says they don’t offer legal services but rather help people ‘communicate with lawyers and support [them] in managing their claim during the arbitration process’, is representing parents who are warning that the popular social media platform is dangerous.
The lawsuit has at least 5,000 parents involved as they want to bring more people on board to raise awareness about the dangers of the app.
The ClaimsHero website reads: “An Algorithm poisoning America’s Youth: TikTok is a weapon targeted at America’s youth. Its search algorithm turns the platform into a drug – featuring relentless violent, sexual, and even suicidal content that targets children as young as 12 years old.”
The North Carolina Tar Heels will be a young program across the board next season, with well over two dozen freshmen and numerous additions from the transfer portal this offseason. Expectations for the 2026 season are lowered dramatically after a disastrous first season for head coach Bill Belichick, though those expectations could help the Tar Heels fly under the radar.
As the Tar Heels approach the end of spring ball, it is time to look at the veterans of the team—the ones who have the experience to lead, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Let’s look at three underrated seniors for the 2026 football season.
Ade Willie, Cornerback
Willie joins the Tar Heels program after four years with Michigan State, as the former 4-star player in the 2022 recruiting class gets an opportunity to not only provide depth to the secondary, but potentially start Week 0 against TCU.
Willie played in over 30 games with the Spartans and brings experience in the secondary at cornerback and safety, along with quality length and closing speed to the football. For a defense that needs players to step up, the redshirt senior from IMG Academy will be asked to do so.
Isaiah Johnson, Defensive Lineman
The defensive line is beginning to look like one of the Tar Heels’ strengths for the 2026 season. Johnson, a former transfer from Arizona, enters his redshirt senior year looking to add another year of production after 40 tackles and two sacks this past season.
North Carolina has an impressive group of starters with Malkart Abou-Jaoude, Leroy Jackson, and incoming transfer Jaylen Harvey. Johnson adds value to the group as a run defender with the ability to penetrate the pocket. While not discussed as a key player, Johnson’s name will be used plenty during the regular season as a potential standout for the program’s defensive front.
Coleman Bryson, Safety
Bryson was a reserve player for the Tar Heels’ secondary last season as a big nickel defender in the rotation. Heading into his redshirt senior year, the former Minnesota Gopher is looking to become a full-time starter in the secondary.
It wasn’t long ago when Bryson was making plays as the 2022 Pinstripe Bowl Defensive MVP. His special teams abilities were valuable for North Carolina last season, and he flashed at times in coverage against tight ends, including a pass breakup in the season-opener against TCU. The Waynesville, North Carolina, native could be a key defender on the back-seven in 2026.
Add us as a preferred source on GoogleFollow
Friends and family members gathered in Washington state on Saturday, remembering former Miss North Carolina Carrie Everett, who died on Easter Sunday. Another memorial service is planned in North Carolina next month.
Web Editor : Sydney Ross
Posted
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | First Quarter
Virginia 3, North Carolina 0 | Q1 8:19
After a faceoff win by Henry Metz, Brendan Millon finds Truitt Sunderland to give the Hoos a 3-0 lead. Timeout North Carolina.
Virginia 2, North Carolina 0 | Q1 9:00
Brendan Millon gets the scoring started for the Cavaliers with a question mark style goal. On the defensive end, Jake Marek opens the game with three early saves with his third save setting up a transition goal by Tommy Snyder.
Virginia vs North Carolina pregame notes
UVA owns a 59-33 advantage since the series began in 1938.
The 59 wins are UVA’s most against any opponent in program history (followed by 51 against Duke).
In Chapel Hill last year, the Tar Heels defeated the Cavaliers 18-9, snapping UVA’s six-game series win streak.
UVA has won nine of the last 11 meetings, dating back to 2018.
The Hoos have won the last two meetings with Carolina at Klöckner Stadium, 11-4 in 2022 and 14-6 in 2024.
The Tar Heels’ four goals in 2022 marked the fewest goals in a game under Joe Breschi, who was named UNC’s head coach in 2006.
The last time the Tar Heels knocked off the Cavaliers at Klöckner was a 16-13 decision during the first of three games between the two teams in 2021.
Later that year, UVA claimed back-to-back meetings against the Heels, including in the NCAA semifinals on the way to capturing the 2021 national title over Maryland.
Follow
-
Detroit, MI2 hours agoGame 21: Tigers at Red Sox, Garrett Crochet battles both Detroit and the weather
-
San Francisco, CA2 hours agoWhy do gray whales keep dying in San Francisco’s waters?
-
Dallas, TX2 hours agoDallas Mavericks Owners Might Be Making Big Mistake in Search for New GM
-
Miami, FL2 hours agoDefense dominates, Mensah flashes in Miami’s spring game – The Miami Hurricane
-
Boston, MA2 hours ago
A crowd scientist is helping the Boston Marathon manage a growing field of 30,000-plus runners
-
Denver, CO2 hours agoDenver Nuggets Altitude broadcasts now being offered in Spanish for first time ever
-
Seattle, WA3 hours agoNeed to shred? Free drive-up/ride-up shredding Wednesday at Village Green West Seattle
-
San Diego, CA3 hours agoGame 21: San Diego Padres at Los Angeles Angels
