St. Helens, Scappoose school districts sounding alarm bells over social media usage

Both the St. Helens and Scappoose school districts are warning parents and students of growing social media threats that have surfaced both locally and nationally.

Of particular relevance was a recent community Facebook post on Thursday, Sept. 12, suggesting that Scappoose High School had been locked down after a student brought a firearm to school.

That post was proven untrue, according to the Scappoose Police Department that day.

Following the post, Interim Police Chief Chris Fluellen said, “We had our officers dispatched, we searched and checked the area early this morning and there was no evidence this particular kid had a firearm.”

While the threat and lockdown at Scappoose High was debunked, local school districts continue to stress the importance of thinking twice about posting such comments.

“Recently, we’ve noticed an increase in the sharing of posts, news and rumors that are not always based on facts, leading to confusion, misunderstandings, and in some cases, harm to individuals or our community as a whole,” according to a recent Scappoose School District message.

The district is asking social media users to check the facts and verify before sharing a post, to avoid spreading misinformation. The district also stresses the importance of pausing before posting.

“Take a moment to reflect on the potential impact of your post,” the district writes. “Ask yourself if what you’re sharing could hurt someone’s feelings or reputation or spread unnecessary fear or concern.”

Also, if you’re not sure of the accuracy of a post, the district advises you to “reach out directly to those involved or check with a trusted adult or teacher.”

The St. Helens School District is equally committed to stressing the dos and don’ts of social media usage.

“Student and staff safety is our top priority at the St. Helens School District,” the district wrote on its Facebook page. “We remain committed to maintaining secure environments and continue to work closely with local law enforcement to safeguard our schools.”

The St. Helens district holds quarterly safety meetings with school administrators and local first responders to strengthen protocols. These sessions feature expert speakers who cover important topics, “to ensure we stay proactive in protecting our students and staff.”

According to the district, “While we have not experienced threats ourselves, we take any potential risks seriously.”

In addition to notifying your local school, or law enforcement, of any concerning social media posts, you may also reach out to SafeOregon anonymously. SafeOregon’s tip line is 844-472-3367. You may email at tip@safeoregon.com or visit the website at www.safeoregon.com .