Miami-Dade Schools Aware Of TikTok Challenge, Threats Surge

Miami FL

17 December, 2021

10:20 AM

Description

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FL — In recent weeks, Miami-Dade County Schools has seen an uptick in threats to schools within the district. The Miami-Dade Schools Police Department has investigated more than a dozen threats, most of them on social media, the school district shared on Twitter. These threats come in the wake of a deadly school shooting in Michigan. A 15-year-old student at Oxford High School killed four students and injured seven other people, including one teacher, on Nov. 30. Now, law enforcement agencies and school districts across the country are also monitoring a TikTok challenge that's encouraging students to threaten school violence at their schools on Friday, Dec. 17. School police are monitoring the nationwide social media threat and said security will be ramped up at area schools. "In an abundance of caution, there will be additional police presence and schools will remain vigilant throughout the day on Friday," the district said. Anyone with information about school threats or anything that could impact school safety should call 305-995-COPS. According to some reports, the December challenge is one of several in a string of monthly challenges stemming from the social media platform. In September, another challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged raucous acts of vandalism at schools. To participate in the challenge, students and TikTok users shattered mirrors, stole soap dispensers, fire alarms and football field turf, and intentionally clogged toilets, all while filming the antics to post on TikTok. Related Stories: TikTok December 17 Challenge Has Police, Schools On High AlertStudent Made Snapchat Threat Against Sarasota High School: SCSOTeen Threatens School Shooting In YouTube Comment: Sheriff15-Year-Old Made Online Threat Against Miami High School: PoliceAhead Of TikTok Challenge, Manatee County School Threats Surge In the latest threat made in South Florida, a 13-year-old girl, a Miami-Dade student, faces 10 felony counts of written threat to kill or do bodily harm, the Miami Herald reported. She posted a threat to Instagram that targeted 10 schools: Broward County Public Schools' Miramar High, and Miami-Dade's Brownsville Middle School, Carol City Middle School, Horace Mann Middle School, Madison Middle School, Miami Carol City Senior High School, Miami Central Senior High School, Norland Middle School, North Dade Middle School; and North Miami Senior High School. Meanwhile, a 14-year-old Broward County student was arrested Wednesday for making a Snapchat threat against Pompano Beach Middle School, the Herald reported. He included a list of names in the threat. Earlier in the month, two other students were arrested Dec. 6 for making hoax threats against area schools. A 15-year-old boy was arrested after making a social media threat against Miami Senior High School. A 16-year-old girl was also arrested for making a separate threat against a school in the district. "Any act that disrupts the educational environment, depletes police resources and causes unnecessary stress on students, families and employees will result in severe consequences," school police said.