Educators across the Cincinnati area and the nation announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools Friday. Officials assured parents the viral posts were not considered credible.The social media threats had many educators on edge as they circulated in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Michigan, which has been followed by numerous copycat threats to schools elsewhere.Multiple area school districts and police departments have released statements Thursday into Friday, saying they are aware of copycat TikTok threats. Officials with the Cincinnati Police Department say none of the social media threats they have seen specify a specific school or state. “On a local level, CPD has been actively monitoring the situation and we are working closely with our area schools. We patrol our city school grounds daily and will continue to do so,” a statement from the department reads. “We ask that parents talk to their children about the potential consequences their online posts and social media activity could have. As always, please report any suspicious activity to police."Similarly, officials with the Monroe Police Department said they are also monitoring social media threats, particularly one in which “MHS” was named as a targeted school. That is not Monroe High School, authorities said, but instead is referring to another school. Officials with Mason City Schools also said law enforcement is aware, and monitoring alleged threats. “Our law enforcement partners are aware, and have determined this December 17th TikTok copycat post is not a credible threat. As an extra safety precaution, we will have additional law enforcement presence at our schools tomorrow,” a statement from the district reads in part.In a statement on Twitter, TikTok said it was working with law enforcement to investigate.“We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness,” the statement said, “which is why we’re working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok.”The posts follow a disturbing trend that has had students acting out in response to social media challenges. In September, students across the U.S. posted videos of themselves vandalizing school bathrooms and stealing soap dispensers as part of the “devious licks” challenge.In October, students were challenged to slap a teacher, prompting the National Education Association to call on the leaders of Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to intervene.
Educators across the Cincinnati area and the nation announced plans to increase security in response to TikTok posts warning of shooting and bomb threats at schools Friday.
Officials assured parents the viral posts were not considered credible.
The social media threats had many educators on edge as they circulated in the aftermath of a deadly school shooting in Michigan, which has been followed by numerous copycat threats to schools elsewhere.
Multiple area school districts and police departments have released statements Thursday into Friday, saying they are aware of copycat TikTok threats.
Officials with the Cincinnati Police Department say none of the social media threats they have seen specify a specific school or state.
“On a local level, CPD has been actively monitoring the situation and we are working closely with our area schools. We patrol our city school grounds daily and will continue to do so,” a statement from the department reads. “We ask that parents talk to their children about the potential consequences their online posts and social media activity could have. As always, please report any suspicious activity to police."
Similarly, officials with the Monroe Police Department said they are also monitoring social media threats, particularly one in which “MHS” was named as a targeted school. That is not Monroe High School, authorities said, but instead is referring to another school.
Officials with Mason City Schools also said law enforcement is aware, and monitoring alleged threats.
“Our law enforcement partners are aware, and have determined this December 17th TikTok copycat post is not a credible threat. As an extra safety precaution, we will have additional law enforcement presence at our schools tomorrow,” a statement from the district reads in part.
In a statement on Twitter, TikTok said it was working with law enforcement to investigate.
“We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness,” the statement said, “which is why we’re working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok.”
The posts follow a disturbing trend that has had students acting out in response to social media challenges. In September, students across the U.S. posted videos of themselves vandalizing school bathrooms and stealing soap dispensers as part of the “devious licks” challenge.
In October, students were challenged to slap a teacher, prompting the National Education Association to call on the leaders of Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to intervene.
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