Amid reported threats towards U.S. schools of mass shootings and bombings on the social media platform TikTok, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urged Americans to raise their level of awareness and report any unusual activity.
Several schools nationwide bolstered their security presence or closed their doors on Friday, Dec. 17, due to the alarming social media trend involving threats of violence against schools and students, according to a report by USA Today.
“It's just scary to feel like there's nowhere where you can leave your kids,” Trisha Masterson, a mother of five from Wauconda, Illinois, said to USA Today. “I'd always rather be safe and regret being too safe than not. What happens if I send them and something happens?”
TikTok has denied that the threats originated on its platform. The company released a statement saying that “local authorities, the FBI, and DHS” had conducted investigations and found no credible threat, a report by ABC News said. The social media company said it would report any threats of violence to authorities.
“DHS is aware of public reporting that suggests possible threats to schools on December 17, 2021,” Homeland Security tweeted the same day. “DHS does not have any information indicating any specific, credible threats to schools but recommends communities remain alert. DHS will continue to monitor and keep the public and our partners informed. Individuals should report suspicious activity to local law enforcement. If you see something, say something.”
A 16-year-old high school student in Florida was arrested on Dec. 17 amid the wave of threats. He was in possession of a loaded firearm, according to police. It is not clear whether this incident is connected to the social media trend, according to Fox LA.
Only a few weeks before the threats, a 15-year-old student was charged with killing four and wounding seven others during a shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan. He is facing an array of serious felony charges and is set to face trial as an adult, a report by The Associated Press said.
