Richmond School Board member shares thoughts on recent social media threats at central Va. schools

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Several school systems across central Virginia are dealing with threats of violence on social media.

Greensville County Public Schools delayed the start of school the morning of Wednesday, Feb 21 , after a social media threat was posted the night before. This news follows a similar social media threat made by a 14-year-old Greensville County High School student promising a “shootout” at all Emporia-area schools on Tuesday.

Last week, Chesterfield County Public Schools saw its own set of threats , including a threat of violence at Thomas Dale High and a bomb threat at Spring Run Elementary .

This string of school threats across central Virginia has many people asking how to address the problem. Richmond School Board member Jonathan Young said he has some thoughts on the matter.

“When you provide a 10, or 11, [or] 12, [or] 13-year-old [a] device as capable as a cell phone, they’re going to be used for malpractice — for bad purposes,” Young said.

Young said there are three things Richmond Public Schools (RPS) does to limit threats. First, RPS does not allow students to use their phones during class. Secondly, RPS removes chat functions and social media apps from school tablets.

Lastly, RPS talks with students about the dangers of threats and repercussions that come with it.

“You’ve got to be very transparent [in relation] to what our expectations are, Young said. “And the fact that we can’t tolerate someone calling in a bomb threat, because of the reality that every case, every call, every threat online … you have to take them all 100% seriously.”

Young also said building relationships with everyone in every school, as well as creating a dialogue with law enforcement, are other ways to minimize threats.

“You’ve got to invest in people in your buildings,” Young said. “You’ve got to invest in your teachers and your administrators, your counselors and your psychologists.”

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