In many schools around the area, there have been threats toward schools posted on social media. Kids have been posting these comments so that they can skip class or not have to go to school. There have been bomb and school shooting threats coming from Facebook and other social media platforms. These threats have caused fear and anxiety for educators, students, and parents. Some schools have gone virtual because there have been so many threats. 

Throughout December 2021 over 800 threats have been recorded. This number has increased dramatically. On Dec. 17, 2021, schools nationwide experienced threats on TikTok that caused many students and others to be anxious, nervous, and worried about coming to school. There were no threats that were directed to Freedom, therefore some still came to school. Because of these threats over 121 students, just in middle school, stayed home from school because of that school threat that was posted on social media. This is a great example that proves how these threats can cause anxiety to be spread to a bunch of people and this was just one threat. Imagine this time over 800 for all the threats that have been broadcast throughout Pennsylvania schools.

“Several schools have been seeing threats on social media. Schools nationwide were affected by this latest threat and some are going virtual if any threat is too serious. We are using our resources to try to track down any threat whether it’s on social media or anywhere else. We will bring in more controls to help secure schools with officers from different areas to keep our schools safe. Some threats are posting pictures of weapons, and whoever is behind the threats will be arrested, a lot of kids want to skip school and that is why they post these threats. This is something you will have to keep in mind to stay safe. We gave information to teachers to keep the school secure, and school life is different because of these threats. I hope that there will not be any more threats, but social media is used commonly, and students have been struggling because of virtual and not being in school,” Officer Rick Jones, school resource officer, stated.