These approaches may reduce profits, but without safeguards in place, public safety is compromised. Schools across the country responded in different ways to these threats. School Shooting Threats on TikTok, Social Media Prompt Lockdowns OKLAHOMA COUNTY - School districts in the Oklahoma City metro area are responding to a threat posted on social media platform TikTok against schools across the nation.Oklahoma City Public . Show Transcript. I dont think authorities can be blamed for overreacting, because we dont know until later than it is even overreacting rather than being preventive., Derrick Bryson Taylor is a general assignment reporter. I talked to many parents and students, reassured them that everyone was safe and the day concluded without incident. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Federation President Randi Weingarten said in an interview with NBC News that teachers jobs are now much more difficult because of social media apps. On Friday morning in Wauconda,Illinois, Trisha Masterson dropped her five children off at school and noticed additional police cars. The company said a search of its posts showed users warning about the threats but no evidence of anyone directly making or promoting them. Iowa schools are responding to nationwide, anonymous social media threats that are being shared on social media outlets. Holm told parents that students immediately reported the incident to school administrators. Social media platforms can screen user content when it suits their purposes. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Man accused headbutting girlfriend, making off with their kids is still on the run, 58-year-old inmate dies at DeKalb County Jail's intake, Car break-ins prompt call for action to beef up apartment security in Atlanta, Suspect charged in Gretchen Harringtons 1975 murder in Delaware County, Tragic end to Kennesaw SWAT situation: Man found deceased after standoff with police. Should any safety concerns arise, they will be investigated immediately and thoroughly following CPS protocol to ensure the safety and security of our students and staff.Safety is a collective responsibility, and I would like to emphasize the importance of using social media responsibly. Frisco, Texas, police on Friday arrested seven middle schoolers for social media threats. MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO)-- Several school districts in Minnesota are closing buildings Friday due to social media threats. Students' addiction to social media apps is costing school districts valuable time and resources, teachers and administrators say. IE 11 is not supported. Schools Sue Social-Media Platforms Over Alleged Harms to Students It has been wonderful to have students at school learning for the past 5 months. Viewpoints: Responding to social media threats of school violence. The school district said they worked with their local and . A similar police presence was also expected across public schools in Cincinnati. A complete school investigation and any resulting school disciplinary action in alignment with our policies on threats of violence will be taken as well, Holm wrote.NORWALK RESPONSEIn Norwalk, parents are joining students and district employees at the school Friday to have an extra eye on the kids' safety. In our area and across the country, schools were forced to close for the day because students, caught up in the challenge, made threats of violence toward schools. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. On December 10, a high school principal in Cheltenham, Pennsylvania informed parents that police were investigating a threat written on a bathroom stall saying there would be a school shooting on December 17. Dear Barrington 220 Community,Barrington 220 has been made aware of a national threat circulating on TikTok regarding gun violence in schools. One impulsive post that takes 10 seconds to make can destroy a young persons future, regardless of the individuals age. Mike Pressler, Maine East PrincipalDr. Weingarten said she wishes the lawsuits werent necessary. Asked to describe social medias effect on them personally, 32% said it had been mostly positive and 9% said it was mostly negative. "They're already more anxious because of how much their learning experience has changed during the pandemic," she said. But the process usually isnt straightforward. Its unclear who was behind the list and whether its more sinister challenges which in some cases promoted sexual assault came to fruition. "As a mom, it really stinks for your kids to need a hug before going into school because of fear," Masterson said. Anna Hamilton, Frost Academy Principal, Full Statement from Barrington School District 220 on nationwide viral TikTok post. Is Lake Mead's Ominous Bathtub Ring Disappearing? If a student witnesses any harming behaviors it should be reported immediately. This trend affected millions upon millions of people that day. NEW JERSEY School leaders and law enforcement officials around the region have increased security measures at schools following social media posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at. We encourage parents to talk with their children about being watchful of any behaviors, including online and over social media, which would result in harm to anyone. Karoun Demirjian, a congressional correspondent for The Times, explains . Plainview ISD, Olton ISD, Lockney ISD and Littlefield ISD have all taken precautions after receiving reports of online threats. In Norwalk, parents are joining students and district employees at the school Friday to have an extra eye on the kids' safety. Officials with Lakeville Area Schools say school and district buildings will be . "I appreciate the police trying to calm people, but it doesn't make me feel any better," said Rachel Jalloway. All Rights Reserved. Glenview Police Department said it is aware of the threat and encouraged "everyone to remain vigilant," but added that there is no credible information that it is related to any school in Illinois. Whats considered a threat on social media? On Friday, law enforcement agencies around the country appeared to be increasing their presence at schools in direct response to the social media rumors. The apparent social media threats had many educators on edge since they were circulating in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Michigan, which has been followed by numerous. Copyright 2023 Social Media Victims Law Center. Some Chicago area schools increasing police presence on Dec. 17. TheMarjory StonemanDouglas High Schoolshooter in Parkland, Florida, also posted disturbing messages on social media prior to the shooting. The school districts will be in close contact with law enforcement throughout the day. District staff, the Cobb Police Department, and the Cobb County School District Police Department, immediately launched an investigation that is ongoing. Michigan school shooting suspect posted direct threat on social media They say there is no credible threat in the area.SOUTH HAMPTON THREATIn Jewell, South Hamilton Community School District Superintendent Heather Holm on Friday morning told parents through an email that a student made a social media post about bringing a gun to school.Holm told parents that students immediately reported the incident to school administrators. Every threat must be taken seriously, but the school is also faced with the task of determining which threats are credible. Multiple Northern California schools have reported threats of violence that appear to be linked to trending social media posts across the country. School districts partnered together including Adel DeSoto Minburn, Ames, Ankeny, Bondurant-Farrar, Dallas Center-Grimes, Des Moines, Johnston, North Polk, Norwalk, Southeast Polk, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines. Ukraine war latest: 'Drone attack' in Moscow - Sky News While we were fortunate not to receive any direct threats of violence, other schools were not. Several Oklahoma City metro area school districts respond to threat Evanston Township High School lockdown lifted after 2 guns found, New details released on Ethan Crumbley's violent drawings reported before Michigan school shooting, Run, hide, fight: Protect yourself in an active shooter situation, https://www.anonymousalerts.com/mainetownshiphsd207/. Joseph Prezioso/Agence France-Presse Getty Images, after a deadly school shooting in Michigan. If you or your child can attribute harm to social media, we want to hear from you. When users reported it, theyreceived a messagestating the video did not violate Facebooks terms of service. A small number of districts in many states still closed schools as a precaution. All updates regarding school delays and closures are posted to the districts website and can be found here. When a young person becomes despondent because theyve been sent all sorts of images about body weight, that young adolescent brings that to school, she said. had alarming evidence something was amiss, still had not found content that promoted violence. One police chief in Watertown, South Dakota, shared one of the posts in a news release to dispel rumors around it. The companies said in responses to the suits that they were taking steps to make their products safer. The federation has 1.7 million members. "We've been made aware of a TikTok threat circulating social media nationally regarding gun violence at schools," the statement read. Senator sounds alarm on algorithms and its impact on children. "We want to remind all students and parents when you see a threat, report it, do not repost it. Nationwide social media threat warning of school shootings - syracuse Children as young as13 years oldare being arrested for threatening comments on social media, regardless of whether they were intended as a threat. One in Fort Bend sent the request in a notice to parents citing several social media sites challenging students nationwide to threaten their schools.. Deborah A. Flores, the Gilroy Unified School District superintendent, said in a letter to staff and families that the high school was closing in part because some in the community still experience trauma from the shooting at the citys garlic festival in July 2019, where three people were killed. The sheriff gave the all clear and will have deputies on duty at each campus. But the prospect of such a trend taking over schools further stressed educators at a time of high burnout and staff turnover. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Iowa schools, parents respond to nationwide social media threats, I WILL HAVE A LOOK AT YOUR WEEKEND FORECAST COMING UP. Barrington School District 220 also notified its community of the national threats. They even mentioned what music the shooter would play. Its time. Unfortunately, this is an issue across social media platforms, not just Facebook. There is a challenge in terms of well-being and behavior in the classroom, and a teacher doesnt have at the ready a counselor or a social worker that they can go to, Weingarten said. Nearly 200 School Districts Are Suing Social Media Platforms - Yahoo News Social Media Threat Prompts Several Minnesota School Districts To NJ schools step up security after viral TikTok threats | PIX11 Your internet activity tells so much about you that many users mistakenly believe their phones are listening to their conversations. He will become superintendent of Springville Griffith Institute Central School District this month. They say there is no credible threat in the area. Lamar High School threat: HISD campus and 2 schools in Lamar Photo: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg News. "It's heartbreaking.". For example, the school shooter at Sante Fe High School in Texas had a Facebook page with images of a custom T-Shirt that said Born to Kill and a black jacket that contained symbols related to Nazism, communism, and fascism. Viewpoints: Responding to social media threats of school violence Social Media Threat at Mass. Schools? FBI Boston Finds Nothing Credible VENTURA (CBSLA) Four students in Ventura and Oxnard faces charges Monday of making criminal threats of violence to a school campus. A spokeswoman for Facebook, which had also been mentioned, declined to comment. Olton ISD has been placed on a lockout after officials received a report of a school shooting directed at Olton High School and Plainview High School. Police say. Plainview ISD, Olton ISD, Lockney ISD and Littlefield ISD have all taken precautions after receiving reports of online threats. With kids back in class this fall, negative behaviors have led to a major spike in discipline infractions, from violence with weaponsand fights toverbal altercations and vandalism. Several Conn. schools increase police presence due to non-credible The federation's report lists some of the costs that it says have fallen on the shoulders of teachers and schools: hiring additional mental health counselors, educating students about the dangers of social media, time spent confiscating phones and addressing bullying related to social media, and investigations of hoaxes that spread through social media. When you stop to think about the impact of this trend, it is really quite staggering: the lost classroom time for students whose parents kept them home out of fear and concern or where schools had to close completely for the day because of threats; the time that law enforcement spends investigating threats and providing extra support and presence at schools. In a Facebook post, the district said police and the guardian team have been alerted. "The Iowa Department of Public Safety has been investigating. Over 200 school districts have joined lawsuits against Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube, claiming that these social media . School officials are asking anyone with any information to contact the police immediately. LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- A threat of shootings and bombings at school campuses across the United States has been circulating on social media. The pandemic caused up to a year and a half of upturned learning. Educators, families, students and other concerned citizens need to say enough is enough. . School shooting, bomb threat of December 17th attacks circulates on They could also display posts that promote positivity and equality. I acknowledge that I am not required to consent to receiving such calls, emails, and texts as a condition of purchasing or using any services. Home Social Media Violence School Threats. challengedstudents to steal or vandalize school property, Michigan Association of School Psychologists, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT: This information is not legal advice. The Gilroy Police Department said that the post which seemed to involve the high school because it used the initials G.H.S. Contributing: Christine Fernando and Alia Wong, USA TODAY;Scott Waltman, Watertown Public Opinion;Lily Altavena,Detroit Free Press. The official did not give any specifics about the threat. If you would like to customise your choices, click 'Manage privacy settings'. Tech companies must take responsibility for the harm they do, and if they will not, our government should step in and require them to make these product changes in the interest of youth safety, she said in a statement. The national teachers union earlier this fall had already asked CEOs of social media companies likeTikTok, Facebook and Twitter to better curtail trends promoting harm to teachers or schools. Iowa schools, parents respond to nationwide social media threats In Florida, school administrators in the Citrus County School District warned parents about the national TikTok trend that threatened gun violence on December 17. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. The report comes at a time of heightened concern about the impact of social media on children and teenagers. Social media apps have the ability to monitor internet activity for marketing purposes. The Buffalo News editorial about the dispute over sewer work in West Seneca leaves out several crucial stakeholders: the thousands of resident. Lockney ISD delayed classes until 10 a.m. after concerns of a social media post threatening the school. In light of this, it is vitally important for parents to talk to their children about the consequences of saying anything on social media that could be construed as a threat against a school. "Clearly, this shows that there are too many guns on our streets and it is far too easy to get them," said Mia Senechal, the deputy organizing director at gun violence prevention group March For Our Lives. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is looking to enact a judicial overhaul, spurring widespread demonstrations. Many school shooters have exhibited warning signs that were missed prior to the attacks, including threats on social media. "These types of threats and social media trends are very disturbing and in no way amusing,"National Education Association President Becky Pringlesaid Friday in a statement. Illinois' largest district said there is "no known threat to any CPS facility," but should any safety concerns arise, they will be investigated immediately. AACPS Monitoring Social Media Threats To Schools On Friday School districts partnered together including Adel DeSoto. School officials said Barrington police have confirmed the threats are unsubstantiated at this time and there is no viable threat to students or staff. ANONYMOUS POSTS ARE DECLARING TODAY AS AMERICAN SCHOOL SHOOTING DAY, BUT DOES T NONAME A SPECIFIC SCHOOL OR DISTRICT. Students across US arrested for school shooting social media trend (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Some campuses shuttered out of an abundance of caution, others increased their police presence, and many parentskept their kids home despite school leaders and law enforcement telling families not to be alarmed.