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If your child posts or sends a threat—especially one aimed at a school—treat it as potentially serious, report it promptly, and do not share it further. If anyone may be in immediate danger in the United States, call 911. Preserve the post and its context for authorities, then follow the school’s and investigators’ instructions.

What should you do first?

  1. Address immediate danger. If someone may be at risk now in the United States, call 911. For a threat without known immediate danger, contact local law enforcement and use the FBI reporting options described in its August 27, 2026 Chicago advisory. Do not decide on your own that the message is harmless because your child calls it a joke.
  2. Notify the school promptly. Use its official reporting channel and give administrators factual information. Ask who is coordinating the response, and follow official instructions. Federal Education and Justice Department guidance urges schools to prioritize safety, coordinate with law enforcement, and use established emergency communications while assessing a threat.
  3. Preserve the information without circulating it. Keep the post and relevant context, such as the sender, date, and time, for authorities. Do not delete, repost, or forward the threat. The FBI specifically advises against sharing or forwarding a threat while it is being investigated. Confirm evidence-handling instructions with investigators.
  4. Do not speculate publicly. Avoid naming a rumored hoax or showing frightening material to other children. Federal school guidance promotes “Report, Don’t Repost”; UK Department for Education guidance likewise advises fact-checking and avoiding amplification of unverified hoaxes.
  5. Talk with your child once urgent safety steps are underway. Ask what happened and what they were feeling; listen for stress, conflict, or a need for help. Explain calmly that threats can have serious consequences even when intended as a joke. The FBI recommends discussing responsible social-media use, consequences, and safer outlets for stress. Seek appropriate school or mental-health support if your child appears distressed or at risk.

Should you call the school or police?

Often, both need to know. Call 911 for possible immediate danger in the United States; otherwise contact local law enforcement promptly and report to the school through its official channel. The FBI’s Chicago advisory also points people to FBI tip channels. The right route and sequence can vary by incident and location, so follow emergency instructions from local authorities.

Provide what you know, distinguish what you personally saw from what someone told you, and avoid guessing about intent or credibility. Your role is to report facts and cooperate—not to investigate or determine whether a threat is real. Federal school guidance calls for preparation and coordination before a threat can be confirmed as real or a hoax. It is directed to educational institutions and is not legally binding.

Should you delete the post?

No—not before speaking with authorities. Preserve the post and relevant context for investigators, and do not share it with friends, parent groups, or social media. The FBI says not to forward a threat while it is under investigation. CISA’s social-media threat guidance also advises preserving electronic evidence rather than deleting or sharing it; confirm specific handling steps with investigators.

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Who decides whether the threat is credible?

School officials and law enforcement assess the information and decide what safety measures are appropriate. A school threat-assessment team is a group that identifies, evaluates, and addresses threats to school security. The Department of Education says possible members include principals, counselors, school law-enforcement personnel, outside mental-health professionals, and local law enforcement. Its overview, “What is a threat assessment team?”, describes possible membership; teams and procedures can differ between schools.

During an active incident, rely on official school and emergency communications. The UK Department for Education’s guidance on online hoaxes recommends proportionate, fact-checked communication because publicity around unverified claims can spread misinformation and distress. That is UK education guidance, not U.S. legal advice.

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What consequences could your child face?

Do not promise that a threat will be dismissed as a prank or predict a particular punishment. The FBI says certain threats sent through interstate communications can be federal crimes carrying a maximum of five years in federal prison; state or local charges may also apply. That maximum is not a prediction for any individual child’s case. Outcomes depend on the facts, the child’s age, jurisdiction, and applicable law. The FBI’s August 27, 2026 advisory warns that students may face school discipline, arrest, or imprisonment regardless of claimed intent. For advice about a specific case, contact a qualified local lawyer.

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How to support your child after reporting

  • Keep the conversation calm and focused on what happened, who may have been affected, and what your child was experiencing.
  • Discuss safer ways to handle stress or conflict and how to use social media responsibly.
  • Do not diagnose your child based on one post. If they seem distressed or at risk, contact appropriate school or mental-health professionals.
  • Cooperate with school and law-enforcement requests, and avoid discussing unverified details publicly.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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