TAMPA, Fla. — Pasco County and Hillsborough County school districts sent an email to parents on Wednesday following recent school threats on social media, which led to the arrest of multiple students.
One student was arrested Wednesday morning for allegedly posting online threats against Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Two teen girls were arrested last week in connection to shooting threats at their respective Hillsborough County schools — Bloomingdale High School and Dowdell Middle Magnet School, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
In both incidents, authorities confirmed there was no threat to the schools. Investigations are ongoing.
Officials from Pasco County School District urged parents to explain the repercussions of making such threats, as "social media and messaging platforms play a significant role in our children's lives" within today's digital age.
"Help them identify what constitutes a threatening message. Discuss the difference between joking and making threats and emphasize that even seemingly harmless comments can be taken seriously," the email stated. "Please encourage your child to think critically before posting or sharing anything online. Ask them to consider how their words might affect others and to avoid sharing harmful content."
The Hillsborough County School District also advised anyone who hears something suspicious to take action.
"We want to stress the importance of See Something, Say Something, and if a student or staff member sees or hear something suspicious, we ABSOLUTELY want them to report it," the email from the district stated. "If such a message is brought to your attention, please notify school administrators or law enforcement so that they can thoroughly investigate."
