Joint Statement From FCPS Superintendent and Fairfax County Police Chief Regarding Social Media Threats
An increase in hoax social media threats is a worrying issue that schools across the United States are currently navigating, including those of Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS).
These posts can cause fear and disruption and are particularly upsetting to our community in light of the recent school shooting in Georgia. Not only do these threatening posts bring anxiety and trauma into our buildings, but they also distract educators from our mission. No child can learn and no teacher can be effective if they do not feel safe.
In our County, we are grateful for the close working partnership that exists between FCPS and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). FCPD’s Threat Assessment Management Unit (TAM), a new and industry-leading specialty unit, responds and investigates each time schools report a threat. While some threats have been traced to those outside our county with no connection to Fairfax, others stemmed from within our community. As County leaders, let us be clear that we quickly identify those who make these threats, and those individuals face serious consequences including the very real possibility of criminal charges. What may be regarded as a joke can damage a young person’s future.
Today, we are asking for the help of our community, so our educators and police officers can focus on the business of educating our children and keeping our community safe. Please have a conversation with your children about making good decisions around the use of social media. Know what social media accounts your child has set up, what platforms they are using, and what they are posting, especially on Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram. Remind them that if they see something, it is their responsibility to say something whether to a trusted adult, through the anonymous FCPS tip line, or calling 911.
Our schools are at the heart of our communities, and we have a shared interest in their safety and success.
