TikTok School Violence Threat Scares Already-Edgy HV Parents

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Parents in several school districts are worried about letting their kids go to school given the newest social media threat, another "challenge" on TikTok calling for school violence nationwide.

It's a particular problem in local districts where other threats have been revealed recently, including Arlington, Lakeland and Ossining.

The rash of so-called challenges on TikTok isn't new. In October, school officials in New Rochelle sent out a plea to parents. SEE: School Asks Families For Help Preventing TikTok Challenges

But now, so soon after the shooting in Oxford, Michigan, where school officials' worries and attempts at intervention did not prevent Ethan Crumbley, 15, from walking through his high school killing four students and wounding many others, the anxiety level has grown exponentially.

"The Michigan shooting does add a heightened sense of fear to this situation for me as a parent," a Lakeland parent who didn't want her name used told Patch. "That, coupled with the recent anniversary of Sandy Hook, the event on Monday in Lakeland and the new social media threats does create an overwhelming situation for parents and students."

Some parents on a community Facebook page that Natal administers said their children were so terrified by it all at this point that they didn't want to go to school.

The imminent TikTok threat was addressed by Interim Superintendent Karen Gagliardi, in Lakeland where anxieties were already high due to this week's discovery of a middle school student's list of peers and staff they wished would be harmed.

"Rumors have circulated via social media regarding a threat to schools on Friday," Gagliardi wrote to the community in a Wednesday update. "Altaris, the district security liaison, informed us that this media rumor stemmed from a TikTok 'challenge.' At this time there is no factual information to support any viable threat to our students or staff and close monitoring of this issue will continue. Out of an abundance of caution, we anticipate increased police presence throughout the district this week."

Arlington Superindent Dave Moyer wrote to parents in the district in LaGrangeville Thursday about the "disturbing challenge" trending across the nation on TikTok, referencing schools and gun violence on Friday. "We have no reason to believe this involves any Arlington school ... We will continue to monitor the situation and alert you if there is any reason to be concerned."

But in the same letter, he went on to tell parents about another threat. "Additionally, this morning, LaGrange Middle School students made us aware of a concerning social media post made by a LaGrange Middle School student on Snapchat. This is a separate incident and is NOT related to the above Tic Tok challenge."

As in Ossining and Lakeland, police in LaGrangeville determined that there was no imminent danger, the superintendent said, but as an added precaution, more police were present at local schools Thursday.

"These incidents are unsettling for the entire school community," Moyer said.

In Ossining, where a social media threat hoax led to increased police presence in schools last month, Superintendent Ray Sanchez wrote families on Thursday.

"The district has been made aware of a new trend on TikTok that threatens violence at schools nationwide. It is believed that the post originated in Texas," Sanchez said. "After consulting with the Ossining Police, we were informed that there are currently no specific threats to the Ossining School District. The safety of our students and staff is of paramount importance."

Sanchez offered parents resources for conversations with children:

• How to Talk to Your Kids About Social Media
• Teaching Kids to Be Smart About Social Media (for Parents) - Nemours KidsHealth
• 11 Social Media Red Flags Parents Should Know About

He also asked them "If you or your child witness any suspicious activities on social media, please contact law enforcement immediately."

The thing is, parents said, school officials were warned about Crumbley and repeatedly spoke to his parents about his violent writings and drawings.

They hope school districts around the country are taking hard looks at their emergency plans and revising how they are keeping their schools safe.

SEE ALSO: Remote Learning Day In Newtown On Sandy Hook Anniversary