A missing teenager from North Carolina was rescued by Kentucky police on November 4. She did the hand gesture that signals for help, which she learned on TikTok. The hand gesture means violence at home. As she was being driven by her kidnapper, the girl made the signals to passing drivers. A motorist noticed and recognized the hand gestures and called 911. 

The motorist continued to follow the car while updating the authorities along the way. The actions of this driver led to the police setting up a location to pull the vehicle over, which led to the arrest of 61-year-old Herbert Brick. When Brick was pulled over, the authorities learned the teen was reported missing 48 hours earlier from Asheville, NC, which means they had traveled through North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio.

Because the victim is a minor, no name or specific information is being released.

Black Canyon Middle School student, Bryannna Trejo said, TikTok is an addiction, but she didn’t know about the hand signals until hearing about this story. Trejo said, “I learn how to throw it back on the beat.” She said Tiktok helps because it taught her how to defend herself. Something else useful she learned on TikTok was how to do some school work with no problem or help with school.  She said if she was in a similar situation as the motorist, she would call 911.

A Thunder Ridge Freshmen, who would like to stay anonymous, said, “I think TikTok is a great app because people use it to express themselves and their hobbies.” She thinks the hand gesture was a very smart and efficient way to receive help. She thinks TikTok is sometimes useful because it can help spread ideas, but it also can be a toxic environment. 

Sometimes there are positives that can come from social media, and all we have to do is pay attention to what is going on around us.