Vague and Viral TikTok Warning of school Violence is Not Credible But Has Schools And Law Enforcement On High alert

Vague and Viral TikTok Warning of school Violence is Not Credible But Has Schools And Law Enforcement On High alert (1)

(CSU) Despite widespread school closures, stretched law enforcement resources, and put families on edge ahead of a critical holiday travel season, a vague and viral TikTok trend warning of nationwide school violence on Friday — which authorities have dismissed as unfounded — has prompted widespread school closures, stretched law enforcement resources, and put families on edge.

In response to a spate of videos, some referencing particular schools, urging that kids avoid going to class on Dec.17, a number of school districts in states ranging from Minnesota to Texas declared they would close their doors on Friday. Law enforcement in neighboring locations was on high alert, with police stationed at schools as a precaution.

The US Department of Homeland Security stated Friday morning that it has no proof that the accusations are true but that the public should “be vigilant.”

While TikTok is aware of broad warnings on its platform about impending school violence, Hilary McQuaide, a TikTok spokesman, told CSU Friday morning that the firm has not uncovered any original, explicit threats of violence that may have sparked the viral warnings. The business stated on Thursday afternoon that it takes “even alleged threats very seriously.”

TikTok said Friday that it is continuing to monitor its platform for suspicious behavior but noted that media coverage portraying the viral trend as a danger of school violence might inadvertently inspire someone who is inclined to act, putting families at risk.

“We’re worried that the proliferation of local media reporting on an apparent trend that hasn’t been discovered on the platform might lead to real-world damage,” the business stated.

Authorities are especially concerned, according to a federal law enforcement source, that the quickly growing social media narrative would inspire a lone perpetrator to carry out an actual assault. The event exemplifies the present danger climate in the United States, according to the source.

“This is an example of how social media and other communication platforms may help disseminate threat-related narratives, resulting in the necessity for increased security measures in and around areas of our vital infrastructure,” the source said.

After being “particularly recognized in a TikTok post” tied to the warming trend, Little Falls Community Schools in Minnesota announced on Thursday that it would shut early on Friday. According to local media reports, Kaufman High School in Texas also canceled school. According to local media, Atlanta Public Schools indicated in a letter to parents that certain facilities would be beefing up security on Friday, while schools in Polk County were closed entirely.

Albemarle County Public Schools in Charlottesville, Virginia, said the TikTok trend is a reminder not to share posts about school violence in a message posted on its Facebook page.

“Even if they are not genuine threats,” the letter said, “they may generate a tremendous lot of worry and concern for our children, families, and staff.” “Criminal charges may be brought against those who create or share such messages. We suggest that our families keep an eye on their children’s social media activities and talk to them about appropriate online conduct.”

While many of the possible violence warnings seem to be spreading on TikTok, it isn’t the only forum where such talk has recently surfaced. According to a notification sent to parents by school authorities in Ramsey, New Jersey, a similar message has emerged on Snapchat. Similar material on “other social media” outside TikTok was mentioned in a letter from New York City authorities.

A Snap spokeswoman said the platform is keeping a close eye on the situation on TikTok but declined to comment more. A representative at Meta, Facebook’s parent company, did not reply to a request for comment right away.

In an email to families on Friday, NYC Department of Education Chancellor Meisha Porter addressed the social media challenge, claiming that it encouraged pupils to “call in bomb threats, school shooting threats, etc.” Porter stressed that the threats were not limited to New York City and that many of the postings were generic rather than targeted to a certain school.

Porter’s email said, “Any social media postings of challenges containing threats or acts of violence against school communities will not be accepted.” “Threats of violence, whatever of the motivation for the threat, have very serious implications, and we don’t want our young people’s bright futures jeopardized by social media difficulties like these.”

Families who observe threats directed at particular schools should phone 911, according to Porter.

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