Threats on TikTok disrupt schools

Numerous public school students across the country stayed home on Friday after a viral social media trend circulated vague warnings about shooting and bomb threats and told children not to go to school. More than a half dozen Houston school districts directed middle and high school students to leave their backpacks at home. Others, such as Atlanta Public Schools, increased school security but still allowed parents to keep their children home. Several districts in Minnesota either canceled classes or switched to remote learning. Last month, a student smuggled a gun into a high school in Michigan and fatally shot four people.

How serious was the threat? The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and local authorities said Friday there is no evidence to suggest the claims are credible but told the public to “remain alert.” TikTok began deleting posts but struggled to find videos directly threatening specific schools.

Dig deeper: Read Lauren Dunn’s report in Schooled about a shortage of school mental health counselors.