In response to an increase in false school safety threats, Pennsylvania officials are urging caution and reminding the public about the serious consequences of making such claims.
Since the start of the 2024-2025 school year, numerous schools in the state have been forced to close due to these unfounded threat that were largely spread through social media.
Attorney General Michelle Henry, alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Education Secretary Dr. Khalid Mumin, and State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris, addressed the issue this week and highlighted the impact of these threats on students and schools.
The state’s top law enforcement official stated that while it’s critical for students to report genuine threats and concerns, misuse of reporting platforms like the Pennsylvania Attorney General Office’s Safe2Say Something program can lead to serious repercussions, including criminal charges.
“It is certainly not a desired avenue of my office or law enforcement partners to criminally charge a student. However, intentional false reports traumatize other students and school communities at large, while hampering overall efforts to keep schools and students safe from real threats of violence,” Henry said.
The Safe2Say Something program, which has seen tips increase by over 50 percent this year, allows students to anonymously report concerns. However, officials noted that many of these reports are not credible and are merely attempts by some to skip school or create panic.
Paris explained that every reported threat is taken seriously, which diverts attention from real dangers.
“Pennsylvania State Police, along with local police departments across the commonwealth, are dealing with an increase in reported threats, and every one of those threats is treated as a legitimate safety risk,” Paris said. “Some threats are identified early on as pranks or social media hoaxes, and we want to share those indicators with parents. We encourage parents to speak with their children about social media use and the serious ramifications of making these threats.”
The state education secretary added that the Safe2Say Something program plays a crucial role in maintaining school safety and addressing students’ mental health needs.
The attorney general’s office said that the Safe2Say Something program is used by thousands of students every school year, with more than 32,000 tips submitted during the 2023-2024 school year. Many recent tips regard threats circulating on social media.
“We want every student to feel safe, comfortable, and empowered to learn and build relationships in their classrooms,” Mumin said.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, a Democrat, who also chairs the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and the School Safety and Security Committee, urged parents to engage in discussions with their children about the information they encounter online.
“Unfortunately, the epidemic of gun violence is affecting nearly every community across the Commonwealth, and threats to our schools are a constant concern for parents. As a new dad, I empathize with those concerns, but it’s important for parents to know the facts and talk to our kids about what they’re hearing at school and seeing online,” he said.
Recent measures to combat the spread of misinformation include the state’s introduction of the Information and Media Literacy Toolkit last week to enhance critical thinking skills among educators, students, and families.
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