Frisco Police Chief David Shilson addressed students in a statement Monday, responding to last week’s viral social media posts that urged students to incite violence.
The online trend challenged students nationwide to post threats against their schools. Though the majority of the threats were not directed toward specific campuses, there have been several arrests concerning posts from the trend in recent days.
Seven of those arrests were students connected to threats against Frisco schools last week, including Lone Star High School. The high school was closed for two days last week before it allowed students to return with precautions in place, including prohibiting backpacks and adding extra security patrols.
“With the Lone Star High School threat, Frisco ISD joins an unfortunate list of Districts in the area, state, and nation grappling with social media threats the past couple of weeks,” Frisco ISD Superintendent Mike Waldrip wrote in an email.
In his announcement of the arrests, Chief Shilson emphasized, “There are criminal consequences for anyone who threatens our schools or school staff. This is not a game or a contest for more likes or followers.”
Shilson did not specify what charges the students will face but said some are middle-schoolers “learning a painful lesson at too young of an age.”
“As students, you must convey to your classmates these threats are not funny or cool. You must understand social media challenges that include this type of destructive behavior are not okay,” wrote Shilson.
The police chief’s statement, posted to the Frisco Police Department’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, also addressed the parents of children within the district.
“As parents, I challenge you to have conversations with your children about responsible social media use. Look to increase your awareness of what social platforms your children are on and educate yourself about those platforms.”
