Schools
Online Hoaxes Can Land Students In Jail, Officials Say
Schools are teaming up with area law enforcement to remind students that online school threats can end with them behind bars.
CHARLOTTE, NC — As students prepare to return to their classrooms next week, school officials and law enforcement have teamed together to remind them that making threats or starting a hoax online is no laughing matter, and can land them in jail.
Members of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Charlotte Division, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and other area police departments announced a new public awareness campaign Wednesday, called #ThinkBeforeYouPost, highlighting the consequences of making school threats online.
"As the new school year ramps up, we need the public to understand this message. Making threats against schools, even those you did not intend to carry out, can result in felony convictions at the state or federal level. It is not a joke," said John A. Strong, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in North Carolina.
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Law enforcement agencies follow-up online threats to determine their credibility, and hoaxes waste time and money, they said. A federal charge could mean up to five years in jail, law enforcement warns.
The @FBICharlotte, @CMPD and @CMSPOLICE, along with HPD, @MintHillPolice, @matthewspolice, @CorneliusPD and @PinevillePD, joined to bring awareness and educate everyone about the consequences of making school threats. Hoax school threats are no joke! #ThinkBeforeYouPost! pic.twitter.com/KY9g6FRIOb
— Huntersville Police (@HPDNC) August 22, 2018
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools offer these tips:
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- Don't ever post or send any hoax threats … period.
- If you are a target of an online threat, alert your local law enforcement immediately.
- If you see a threat of violence posted on social media, immediately contact local law enforcement or your local FBI office.
- Notify authorities, but don't share or forward the threat until law enforcement has had a chance to investigate—this can spread misinformation and cause panic.
- If you are a parent or family member, know that some young people post these threats online as a cry for attention or as a way to get revenge or exert control. Talk to your child about the proper outlet for their stress or other emotions, and explain the importance of responsible social media use and the consequences of posting hoax threats.
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