NYC Parents Warned About TikTok School Gun, Bomb 'Challenge'

New York City NY

17 December, 2021

10:20 AM

Description

NEW YORK CITY — A disturbing TikTok "challenge" to make bogus shooting or bomb threats at schools prompted New York City education officials to warn — and reassure — parents. Families across the city received a message Friday from Chancellor Meisha Porter about the challenge, which is circulating nationwide. "This social media challenge is not specific to only New York City, and many of the posts are general and not specific to one school," she wrote. Dear Families#JFQ #IS77 #MiddleSchool #School #Ridgewood #Queens #NYC #NY #NewYork #NewYorkCity #December pic.twitter.com/oltUVphjil— Intermediate School 77 (@IS77Queens) December 17, 2021 No New York City schools have closed Friday in response to any threat, said schools spokesperson Nathaniel Styer. "The safety of our students and staff is our top priority, and every threat to a school community is taken extremely seriously and is immediately shared with the NYPD for investigation," he said in a statement. "Additional supports are deployed, if needed. Safety and security is a community responsibility, and we encourage parents to have conversations with their children about responsible social media use and the consequences of making threats." But while the challenge doesn't appear to have caused major disruptions at New York City school, the same can't be said elsewhere. Schools across the country — from California to Connecticut — have closed classes in response to vague potential threats.