If you saw the hand signal in this video, would you have known what to do? In this story, a TikTok hand signal saves teen from her alleged kidnapper.

The teenager says she learned the hand signal from TikTok, a social media app that tends to drive parents a little crazy. But this time, being on TikTok saved a life. The story of this incredible rescue is going viral.

The 16-year-old had been taken from her home in Kentucky before being driven through four different states with her kidnapper. But she knew what to do, she used a simple hand gesture that is a subtle sign used for those in domestic violence situations. It looks like you’re waving. This signal for help involves holding your hand up, tucking your thumb into your palm, and then closing the rest of your fingers over the thumb. This signals, “I need help.”

The signal was introduced by the Canadian Women’s Foundation during the early days of the pandemic when individuals were trapped at home with their abusers.The gesture was meant to be a quiet but direct way for individuals to signal they needed help during a video call. But the meaning and use of the hand signal began going viral on TikTok as women role-played various ways to use the hand gesture to signal for help. There is even speculation that Gabbie Petito was using this signal with police before her death.

Thanks to TikTok, this hand gesture was recognized by a gentleman traveling on the same road as the teenager and her kidnapper. He recognized the sign and he called 9-1-1 immediately.

He then told law enforcement that this teen was signaling for help and he was able to give a description of the teenager, her kidnapper, and a description of the vehicle. The teen was rescued and reunited with her parents after being taken two days prior.

Thank God for this incredible rescue and how this teen knew what to do. And because this story is going viral, you too will know what to do if you see someone signaling for help!

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?” Hebrews 3:16