School threats by teens
Recent Ontario police cases show teens making threats against schools, one of them in a youth group chat after an argument got heated; the threats may turn out to be empty, but kids who post or send them can be charged.
Should I worry?
In these cases the threats were taken seriously by police even when no weapons were found, and at least one teen was charged. The pattern: insults escalate in a big group chat, someone types a threat as a "joke" or in anger, and others screenshot and share it. Parents often are the ones who report it. Warning signs: your teen is in a heated group chat, is repeating or forwarding threatening messages, or is anxious about going to school. Talk with your teen now: a threat sent as a joke is still treated as a crime, and there is no taking it back once it's screenshotted. If your teen sees a threat, they should tell you or a school adult right away and not forward it. If you see one, report it to the school and police.
How to join in
This isn't a game or a meme, so there is no fun way in; the way in is the group chats your teen is already part of. Big group chats can turn quickly from banter to insults, and teens may type things they'd never say out loud, or want to look tough in front of an audience. Ask what the chats are like, who is in them, and what your teen would do if someone posted something scary. Knowing that "just joking" doesn't protect anyone is the key point.
Try saying
“I heard about some teens getting in serious trouble over things they typed in a group chat. Even as a joke, a threat about a school can bring police to the door. If you ever see something scary in a chat, tell me and I'll help you deal with it, and you won't be in trouble for telling.”
If you’re worried
If there is an immediate danger at a school, call 911. For a threat that is not urgent, contact the school and your local police. If your teen is anxious, upset or struggling after seeing or sending a threat, Kids Help Phone is there at 1-800-668-6868 or by texting 686868. If anything touches on self-harm or suicide, call or text 988.
Sources
From Mistlift, mistlift.app. Plain talk about what kids are into online.