HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

What is TikTok's December 17 school threat? Parents worried over gun violence rumor

An increasing number of people are sharing the rumor across multiple social media platforms to create awareness

A disturbing trend has emerged on TikTok which is being viewed as a ‘national threat’ to schools across the United States on December 17, 2021. The trend which has parents in the nation concerned about the safety of their children is part of an extensive list of shocking TikTok school challenges that surfaced and went viral on social media.

A number of schools across the nation have been made aware of a ‘national threat’ of gun violence on December 17, the Citrus County Chronicle reported. The unconfirmed rumor basically says that there will be an array of school shootings across the US on the mentioned date. The trend has been discussed extensively on TikTok. The origin of the rumor is not known. However, an increasing number of people are sharing it across multiple social media platforms to create awareness about the same. Two other school-related dangerous TikTok trends that emerged this year include 'Slap a Teacher' and the 'Devious Lick Challenge'.

RELATED ARTICLES

Why is #FrozenHoneyChallenge dangerous? Viral TikTok trend is making people sick

'Kool-Aid man challenge': Youngsters crash through fences in destructive TikTok trend

What is the police saying about the TikTok trend?

The worrying speculations which are spreading like wildfire on the Internet have been addressed by a number of school officials and law enforcement agencies. Speaking to ABC 7, a Fairfax County Police officer said, “Our office has not been made aware of any such threat. We will continue to monitor the situation. Please follow our social media channels for any updates.”

Harford County Schools, Maryland sent an email to parents that urged to take all threats seriously and said they "immediately investigated" the situation. They concluded that they, "have not found any valid or supporting documentation that the threat is credible to Harford County Public Schools." The email goes on to say that people may see an increase in police presence on school campuses. "Please take this opportunity to talk with your student about the seriousness and resulting consequences of making any kind of threat, and about the appropriate use of social media, and encourage your students to speak with you, an adult at school, and the SRO if they see or hear something, so that immediate action can be taken," the email said, Fox Baltimore reported.

The schools said that they have shared the information with the school districts but will take action only if the need arises. An official representing Montgomery County, Virginia, said, “We are aware of these threats as is local police. They are deemed non-credible and are happening in many communities and across the country. We will continue to monitor social media and consult with police.”

'Am I being too paranoid?'

The police might have called the rumors baseless and assuring assured people that they don’t have to worry about the ‘national threat’, a number of parents noted on Twitter that they are taking necessary precautions and part of that is not sending their kids to school on December 17.

One tweeted, “So my school sent an email about a TikTok trend where a bunch of schools are sent a school sh00ting threat and now I’m staying home the next two days Not sure what to think about it." Another added, “My youngest’ school has a shooter threat tomorrow. This is apparently a TikTok challenge that many teens across the country have taken part in lately. We’re told, “oh no, it’s just a threat.” Just?? So yeah… there’s that.” “A trend going around TikTok stating on December 17th kids should shoot up schools, again the police department determined there is no real threat. At this point, I’m terrified and just want to keep her home tomorrow and Friday. Am I being too paranoid?” wrote another.