LYNN — Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Tutwiler told families Thursday that a school-safety threat that has been circulating on a popular social media app, TikTok, has been investigated and determined not to be credible.
Tutwiler said that the district was notified Thursday about the “troubling post,” which referred to a threat to school safety that would occur on Friday.
The local investigation showed that the post appears to be part of a national trend, and has no direct relation to the Lynn community, said Tutwiler, explaining that it did not originate in the city or state of Massachusetts. Nevertheless, he said there will be an increased police presence across the city on Friday.
“The Lynn Police are aware and have determined that there is no direct threat to any Lynn public school,” said Tutwiler. “While we do not believe the threat to be credible, we are closely monitoring the situation and taking it seriously, as we do all threats to safety.”
Tutwiler said this incident is a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing social media posts that include a threat to school safety. Parents and guardians should use this opportunity to discuss the proper use of social media with their children, he said.
“Even if they are not credible threats, they can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families and staff,” said Tutwiler, who thanked families for their partnership with the district as it works to ensure a safe, secure and positive learning environment for its students.
