Riverview School District has become aware of a troubling post that has been shared widely this week on the social media platform TikTok. The post refers to a threat to school safety “for every school in the USA, even elementary,” on Friday, December 17, 2021.
The post is part of a national TikTok trend and did not originate in our school district. We have heard reports from other districts that the same post is circulating in schools nationally. While we do not anticipate any issues tomorrow, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously. Additionally, the district has been in contact with local police and first responders regarding the post. We may have an increased police presence in our buildings on Friday as an added precaution.
This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats. Even if they are not credible, threats cause severe emotional distress to students, school staff, parents, and communities. We ask our families to monitor their student’s social media activity and speak with them about proper behavior online.
Issuing a threat, posted anywhere in the building, over a social media platform, in a text message or e-mail, is a federal crime (threatening interstate communications). Those who post or send these threats can receive up to five years in federal prison, or they can face state or local charges. In addition, posts or threats of this kind can also result in school-level consequences.
If you or your child become aware of any potential threat posted to social media or anywhere else, please notify a school staff member or trusted adult immediately.
Thank you for your partnership as we work to ensure a safe, secure, and positive learning environment for all our students.