How Should Schools, Law Enforcement Respond To Tik Tok Gun 'Challenge?'

ATLANTA, GA — The threat of possible gun violence in schools on Friday sparked by a so-called “challenge” posted to social media platform Tik Tok has school districts and law enforcement across the country taking precautions.

School leaders have responded differently nationwide, from canceling school to downplaying the threat. One school district in the Atlanta region has canceled classes for the day as a precaution.

The Polk County School District canceled school on Friday, WSB reported. "We apologize for the inconvenience but are appreciative of those that have made reports regarding threatening social media posts that are circulating within the last hour," the district tweeted. "We have turned all information over to our law enforcement agencies. Together, we can continue to partner to keep our schools safe."

Coming on the heels of the Nov. 30 Michigan school shooting that killed four and injured several others and the ninth anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Tik Tok challenge prompted a message to parents last week from Fulton County School superintendent Mike Looney.

“First and foremost, I want to assure you all that Fulton County Schools’ leaders are on high alert,” Looney said. “Fulton County Schools does not and will not tolerate threats or weapons on our school campuses. We investigate all reports of threats and weapons and always take swift action utilizing our FCS Student Code of Conduct.”

Atlanta Public Schools, however, had a different tone in addressing the nonspecific threat when questioned about it by Patch.

“Atlanta Public Schools Police and district administrators routinely monitor social media,” school spokesman Seth Coleman said Thursday in an email to Patch. “Currently, there have not been any threats made against Atlanta Public Schools.”

Fox 5 News reported a more comprehensive message from Atlanta Public Schools.

"The posts appear to be part of a national TikTok trend and did not originate in Atlanta Public Schools,” the statement said. “We have heard reports from other districts that the same post is circulating in their schools. While we do not believe the threat to be credible, our Atlanta Public Schools Police Department and other metro-area law enforcement are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously.”

The social media platform issued its own statement on Thursday afternoon via Twitter acknowledging Tik Tok leaders’ efforts to get to the bottom of the challenge.

“We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we're working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok,” the tweet said.

Cobb County School District police officers are aware of the trend, a district spokesperson told Patch, and are watching for any threats to CCSD.

"Cobb Schools Police is aware of the national trend involving fake threats being spread on social media and is on the watch for specific threats to any of our school campuses. If school administration or Cobb Schools Police learn of specific threats, we will alert our parents first," the district spokesperson said in an email to Patch. "We also encourage our students, parents, and staff to not distribute or share these posts but instead to report specific concerns through the District’s tip line through call, text, or email."

Cherokee County School District posted a message on its website on Friday, stating:

"On behalf of the superintendent, please be advised we are aware of the national news reports and social media posts about a TikTok challenge related to school violence today. This challenge did not originate locally, and there have been no threats reported in regard to any CCSD schools. The challenge, according to news reports, was started by a student in Utah who did not want to attend school today. We take all threats seriously, and our CCSD Police Department will continue to be on alert, monitor the situation and communicate with local law enforcement agencies."

Bartow County Schools Communications Coordinator Alisha Evans said the district has only had one school affected by this, Adairsville Middle School. Principal Tony Stanfill sent the following message to his school community on Thursday as he was receiving quite a few phone calls, Evans said.

"Adairsville Middle School administrators and campus police officers are aware of concerns students have expressed about safety at AMS tomorrow, December 17, 2021," Stanfill wrote on Thursday. "There has been no credible evidence of a threat at AMS. The rumors appear to stem from a TikTok trend, which has caused disruptions to school systems across the country. We continue to take every possible precaution to ensure safety at AMS. If you or your child hears anything unusual or has specific information, please do not hesitate to contact administration or Officer Blackman."

The December challenge was one of several in a string of monthly challenges on the social media platform, according to some news reports.

In September, a challenge called "Devious Licks" encouraged 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 clogged toilets, filming the antics to post on TikTok.