Four Kentucky teenagers from two high schools in Louisville have been charged after making bomb threats, seemingly inspired by a TikTok trend.
These threats have raised concern among educators, parents, and students since the beginning of the new school year on August 9.
Authorities confirmed that three of these threats originated from a viral social media challenge, with the fourth believed to have a similar origin. The challenge required participants to record themselves informing a teacher of a possible bomb or gun in their backpack.
Three 15-year-old students from Oldham County High School, located 20 miles northeast of Louisville, are facing charges of “terroristic threatening.” Another 15-year-old student from South Oldham High School, believed to be influenced by this online trend, has been charged with “harassing communications.”
The district has suspended all four students indefinitely, and their return is contingent upon completing a mental health screening. This decision was communicated to parents via a district memo. The memo stated, “Students who participate in such behavior face consequences… students are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for making threats to a public school.”
The school district is urging parents to discuss the consequences of participating in such behaviors with their children. Officials also recommend parents monitor their children’s social media activities.
Following the district’s request, the related TikTok videos have been removed.