How parents can discuss school threats made on social media with their children

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — When school threats are made on social media, they have the potential to impact and frighten every student in the school.

Parents can help their kids feel safer and make sure they know who to talk to if something goes wrong.

Word about a school threat, especially one made online, spreads quickly.

“Even if they don’t share it with them or try to protect them from that information, they’re likely going to be exposed to it,” said Enrichment Center Clinical Director Katie Holder.

The Enrichment Center is a nonprofit that partners with North Alabama schools to make sure students’ mental health needs are met.

“I think it’s always a good idea for parents to address their child at their level,” Holder said.

Holder said information parents are seeing about school threats on social media is also likely being seen and discussed by their children.

“Just address that you’ve been made aware that that’s being talked about or they may have heard about it,” Holder said. “See if they have any questions, because if they ask a lot of questions, you’re meeting they where they are.”

School systems depend of their employees, including teachers, counselors, coaches and school resource officers, to create a secure environment for students. Holder said it is important for children to be able to identify those adults, so if a student sees something related to a school threat, they know to say something to someone who can help.

“If they’re ever afraid, if they ever hear of a threat, regardless, the safe adults what to know about that and not to run to other friends or share it on social media, but make sure the adults are aware so they can help them,” Holder said.

The number of school threats has increased since the Apalachee High School shooting in early September. More than 20 North Alabama students have been arrested for making threats to schools in the area.

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