Seth Udinski, FISM News
School districts across the nation were put on high alert on December 16, and sources indicate a threat began circulating on TikTok challenging users to commit mass shootings in public schools.
The specifics of the challenge is unclear, but many districts believe the challenge calls users to bring weapons to school to incite violence. In the wake of a horrific mass shooting in Michigan only weeks ago, security measures are being enacted nationwide in public schools. Many sources are claiming that there is no legitimate concern for the threat, but districts are taking ample steps to make sure no shootings occur.
This new social media trend highlights several cultural themes. The first is the significant power that social media has over its users. Sadly, this power is often used for great evil, as in this case. This also brings to light the unsettling times in which children are growing up. Public schools should be among the safest places for children, but they sometimes horrifically end up being the most dangerous.
To date, there is little knowledge about the source of this trend, as thousands of schools nationwide are taking safety measures and no one has been able to pinpoint an exact source, though some have claimed it originated in a school district in Arizona.
FISM News will keep a close watch on this, and we ask you to pray for the safety of the thousands of young people as they attend public schools nationwide on December 17.