THE United States was on alert for school violence yesterday, after rumours of potential shootings spread on TikTok though authorities have found no credible threat.

Some schools – already on edge after a recent shooting – sent warnings to parents and stepped up security, with a number of districts also cancelling classes for the day.

“The White House and federal law enforcement are closely monitoring threats of violence in schools (that are) circulating on social media,” said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Twitter.

TikTok said it is working with law enforcement to investigate reported videos discussing an upcoming school shooting, but has “found nothing”.

It said “local authorities, the FBI and Homeland Security Department (DHS) have confirmed that there is no credible threat”, so it will be removing alarmist warnings that violate its misinformation policy.

“If we find promotion of violence on our platform, we will remove and report it to law enforcement.”

The FBI said it is examining supposed threats, while the DHS tweeted it does “not have any information indicating any specific, credible threats to schools”.

Recent school shootings

School administrators are quick to respond to the rumours, which come less than three weeks after the latest mass shooting in a United States (US) high school—which left four students dead in Oxford, Michigan.

“There is information circulating that today may be a day of attacks on schools. Administration and DC Police are very aware of this and on close watch,” read a message sent to parents by a school in Washington on Friday morning.

The Pennsbury School District in Pennsylvania told parents that there will be an increased police presence even though they “do not believe the threat to be credible”.

Psaki said “today is another reminder of how many kids and parents live in fear of school shootings or violence. It is unacceptable”.

TikTok, one of the most popular social media services with school-aged children, has already come under fire for allowing the posting of short videos challenging people to risky, damaging and illegal acts.

The viral “Devious Licks” challenge video encouraged students to vandalise bathrooms at schools and make copycat TikTok videos of it earlier this year.

That led to numerous cases of minor destruction of school property around the country.

TikTok said it is taking action to remove videos and minimise their spread “to discourage such behaviour”.

At least 149 school shootings have occurred in the US this year so far, with 32 deaths and 94 injuries, according to anti-gun violence non-profit Everytown.

Sandy Hook Promise, a group formed in response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012, condemned the alleged threat.

“Gun violence is not a subject for jokes or pranks. All threats need to be taken seriously,” it said in a statement. – AFP, December 18, 2021.