(WNY News Now) – HARRISBURG, PA – As school threats spike across Pennsylvania, officials warn that many incidents are rooted in social media pranks rather than credible dangers.

Amid rising concerns over school safety, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, alongside Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Secretary of Education Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, and State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris, is urging students and parents to discern between real threats and social media pranks. Since the start of the 2024-2025 school year, reports of threats leading to safety closures have surged, primarily due to false claims proliferating on social media.

Data indicates that student involvement is critical in mitigating school violence. Officials are encouraged by the increasing usage of reporting mechanisms like the Safe2Say Something program, which has experienced over a 50% uptick in tips this school year. However, many submissions relate to unfounded threats fueled by social media.

Attorney General Henry cautioned, “It is certainly not a desired avenue of my office or law enforcement partners to criminally charge a student. However, intentional false reports traumatize other students and school communities at large, while hampering overall efforts to keep schools and students safe from real threats of violence. If you feel threatened, or have witnessed an act or conversation that causes concern, or are struggling with your own mental health, by all means, seek help and report it. If you are looking to get a free day off school and scare your classmates, stop and think about the consequences.””

The officials emphasize that threats often originate far from local communities, typically as vague social media posts aimed at creating panic. Lt. Gov. Davis stressed the importance of communication between students and trusted adults to navigate safety concerns and identify misinformation.

“Every Pennsylvania kid deserves to be safe and feel safe in their community, and Governor Shapiro and I are working hard to make sure our kids’ schools are places where they can learn and grow,” said Davis. “Unfortunately, the epidemic of gun violence is affecting nearly every community across the Commonwealth, and threats to our schools are a constant concern for parents. As a new dad, I empathize with those concerns, but it’s important for parents to know the facts and talk to our kids about what they’re hearing at school and seeing online.”

State Police Col. Paris explained that all reported threats are thoroughly investigated, reiterating that false claims divert resources and distract from addressing actual dangers. He shared common indicators of false threats that parents should watch for, including vague language, posts from unfamiliar accounts, generic images, and messages from “bot” accounts.

Secretary Mumin encourages students to utilize school resources like counselors and resource officers for support, emphasizing the role of anonymous reporting systems. “We want every student to feel safe, comfortable, and empowered to learn and build relationships in their classrooms. Tools like Safe2Say Something enable educators and counselors to intervene and help students struggling with their mental health, preventing tragedy and ensuring the health and safety of the entire school community.” he said.

The Safe2Say Something initiative enables students to report threats involving gun violence, bullying, and self-harm. Since its inception in January 2019, the program has led to the recovery of over 125 weapons. With over 32,000 tips submitted in the previous academic year, many involved threats circulating online.

To further support safety and responsible media consumption, the Shapiro Administration recently introduced the Information and Media Literacy Toolkit for educators. This resource aims to equip students and families with skills to distinguish between factual and misleading information online.

As school officials navigate this challenging landscape, the message is clear: remain vigilant, report credible threats, and foster open dialogues about safety concerns to create a supportive and secure educational environment.