Pennsylvania law enforcement officials said there has been an increase in school-based threats since the start of the 2024-25 school year, but the threats are largely attributed to false threats and their sharing and reporting fueled by social media.

A news release from state Attorney General Michelle Henry said Safe2Say Something administrators have seen an increase in tips, but many of them are attributable to false threats shared on social media.

In response to online threats this school year, Butler Area and Slippery Rock Area school districts canceled classes in early September after potentially being targeted, and Butler Catholic, St. Wendelin’s and First Baptist Christian School also closed out of an abundance of caution.

Butler school district superintendent Brian White said he asked for a meeting with the Butler County district attorney’s office, assistance from the FBI’s Pittsburgh field office, and support from the Pennsylvania Department of Education after a potential threat closed school Sept. 12.

The state officials are advising parents and students that many threats that emerge in their schools are created beyond their communities, typically as generic threats shared on social media with the intent of going viral and causing panic and alarm. Re-shares of these nonspecific social media posts can contribute to the spread of the false threat, according to the attorney general.

Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Col. Christopher Paris identified signs of false threats, which include vague or not descriptive threats; a threat being shared by someone who appears to be from another state or country; a threat with a generic photograph; and threats from a nondescript or “bot” social media account.

Safe2Say Something is a youth violence prevention program run by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. The program teaches youths and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” before it is too late.

The Safe2Say Something program allows students to report concerns or incidents of violence and threats at their schools and communities involving gun violence, bullying or threats of self-harm.