Technology brings more than its share of advantages and as a subset of tech, social media does too. But like anything, it comes with its share of detriments too. Just ask public school employees across the nation, who have acutely felt social media’s pros and cons.

Platforms like Facebook have been used to bully classmates and relative newcomer Tik Tok has provided another outlet for amateur humorists, and in one recent case, burgeoning terrorists.

Take the Dec. 17 challenge that encouraged students and citizens to make bomb threats, or school shooting threats.

“We are aware of the circulation of this challenge and take all threats seriously,” said a school official in a release related to the topic as the date approached.

“With any threat, we encourage students, staff, and parents to report anything they see or hear immediately so administration and law enforcement can investigate,” an official said. “The safety of our students and staff is always a top priority.”

At the time, there were no threats to any of the schools in Mexico. And while the bomb/school-shooting threat challenge earned widespread exposure, it wasn’t the first of this school year.

“The challenge back in September dared students to vandalize and steal items from school,” said Christine Harper, director of communications for Mexico Public Schools. “Across the nation, that became damage and theft in school restrooms, such as stealing a wall-mounted soap dispenser.”

Challenges have been nationwide and are by no means exclusive to area school districts. Kevin Patrick, Mexico’s school resource officer, notified the district of the December challenge and school officials responded.
“With something like this, we want staff, students and parents to know that it’s out there,” said Harper, “and that we are diligent in making sure that it isn’t an actual threat to our district.”

Threats like the recent Tik Tok challenge are just one of the most recent phenomena associated with social media. Parents are often unaware they exist and Harper says education is key to heading off future problems.
“We also want parents to know about these challenges so that they can have conversations with their kids about how this affects the day-to-day life of our schools,” she said, “and the unnecessary concern it places on staff and students in the learning environment.”

Education has been among the industries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting arrhythmia of schedules and general routine. Throw threats into the mix, and it can be an even greater challenge for normalcy.

When a threat occurs, the Mexico School District collaborates with its school resource officers and local law enforcement.

“We have a great relationship with them and know that we can contact them at any time if the need arises,” Harper said.

While the Dec. 17 threat earned nationwide and local buzz, all was quiet here.

“Fortunately, nothing happened in Mexico or to our neighboring districts that I’m aware of,” Harper said.

And that’s a good thing, but with social media trending into increasingly dark places, the possibility of future threats remains a real possibility. Educators hope to head them off as able.

“So many things in life are teachable moments,” Harper said, “ and it takes a village to raise our kids. As staff, we will continue to teach kids what’s acceptable and appropriate and what isn’t where school life is concerned.”

Additionally, the school district is appealing to parents and community members to help by talking to kids about social media and how it can harm.

“We all take threats seriously,” Harper said, “so if a student and/or parent is aware of any kind of threat, report it immediately.

“We want to make sure all students and staff are safe.”