The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reminding everyone that making any hoax threats is a serious criminal offense, even for students.
FBI Pittsburgh Special Agent in Charge Kevin Rojek said that the organization takes any threat received very seriously. Hoax threats divert public safety resources, disrupt classes and daily operations, and can leave students and parents terrified. Whether the threat is spoken, written, posted online or shared on social media, making a fake threat carries with it serious consequences, including suspension or expulsion from school and in some cases, arrest and imprisonment.
Many websites, apps, and social media platforms now utilize both AI tools and teams of human moderators to review and report language that could be considered threatening. This can include language posted in private group chats.
The FBI advises everyone that if you see a written threat or one posted online, do not simply repost it or share it, but report it to a parent, trusted adult, teacher, school administrator, local police or the FBI field office.
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