Lincoln Public Schools battling ‘contagion’ of threats on social media

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Social media posts about school violence have spread like wildfire this week, but Lincoln Public Schools officials are urging calm.

On Thursday morning, officials said a Lincoln High School student shared threats of violence.

He was referred to juvenile court on suspicion of making terroristic threats.

Investigators have been busy sorting out which threats are real and which aren’t.

LPS Director of Security Joe Wright said communication is critical.

“We’d rather have you report directly to us, to the police, or a trusted adult and not try and warn others by reposting social media,” said Wright. “That doesn’t have the impact we want.”

SEE ALSO: Columbus Public Schools: Student cited after making threat on social media

It leaves many parents, staff and students wondering how to prevent this, including Lincoln residents Cindy and Ron Vays.

“I think it’s important that a child tells a teacher, tells other kids so they pass that information along to each other so a trusted authority knows about this,” Cindy Vays said. “Without that, it can happen too easily.”

Ron Vays said it’s important to take these threats seriously so a school shooter doesn’t slip through the cracks.

“I think they’re going to have to take more positive action when they do get notifications that there could be a child with a gun,” he said.

SEE ALSO: National social media posts cause ‘disruption’ at Lincoln high schools

The district said the posts have disrupted learning, with Wright calling them a “contagion.”

“I assume Georgia had a lot to do with this, and then again amplified by Northwest High in Omaha,” Wright said.