Pennsylvania officials have noted a rise in reports of school-based threats, largely attributed to social media-driven false alarms. Attorney General Michelle Henry, alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, and State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris, emphasized the importance of discerning credible threats from hoaxes.
The Safe2Say Something program has seen a 50% increase in tips this school year, many linked to false threats circulated online. Attorney General Henry stated that while charging students is not ideal, "intentional false reports traumatize other students and school communities at large." She urged individuals to report only genuine concerns.
Lt. Gov. Davis highlighted the necessity for parents and students to discuss safety issues and differentiate between real and fake threats. "Every Pennsylvania kid deserves to be safe," Davis said, stressing the need for awareness amid rising gun violence concerns.
Col. Paris explained that all reported threats are investigated thoroughly but acknowledged the resource drain caused by false reports. He encouraged parental discussions about responsible social media use and the repercussions of making false threats.
Dr. Mumin advised students to communicate with educators about any worries regarding their peers' well-being while utilizing anonymous reporting channels like Safe2Say Something.
The Safe2Say program enables students to report incidents involving violence or self-harm risks anonymously, leading to significant interventions since its inception in 2019.
Attorney General Henry reported over 32,000 tips submitted during the previous school year alone, many concerning social media-spread threats.
In response to these challenges, the Shapiro Administration recently introduced an Information and Media Literacy Toolkit aimed at improving digital literacy among educators and families in Pennsylvania.