A TikTok "challenge" had suggested numerous school shootings will take place on Friday, December 17.
Luckily, this "challenge" has been determined as "not credible." But that hasn't stopped school districts across the country from taking precautions and being on high alert. The challenge swept TikTok, suggesting multiple school shootings could take place on Friday, December 17.
TikTok has responded to reports, stating on Twitter:
We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we're working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok.
— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) December 16, 2021
The social media platform has reportedly removed most of the challenge videos.
The list of schools spreads across the country—school districts in Maryland, Wisconsin, Florida, Arizona, Minnesota, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania have all made announcements in regards to the threats.
Baltimore County Public Schools wrote:
(1/3) ALERT: BCPS has been made aware of an anonymous threat posted on TikTok targeting all schools in the United States. The post alleges that there are planned school shootings that will take place on Friday, December 17.
— Baltimore County Public Schools (@BaltCoPS) December 16, 2021
In Wisconsin, two school districts—the Waukesha School District and Menomonee School District—sent out letters to parents, writing:
"Parents, we are asking you to discuss this with your children. We take all threats seriously and any threats against the school or district will be disciplined to the greatest extent possible, up to and including expulsion from school. If you or your child hears of any specific threat to our district, we ask that you please report it immediately."
Meanwhile, Citrus County School District in Florida wrote the following:
Important message from the Citrus County School District: pic.twitter.com/95kzUc8NWj
— CitrusSchools (@CitrusSchools) December 16, 2021
*This is an ongoing story and will be updated as we learn more. Refresh for updates!