Burnaby schools are bracing themselves for possible bomb threats or reports of active shooters – all because of a rumoured new TikTok challenge that allegedly encourages TikTokers to make the fake calls and film the response.
“While there is no indication that this will take place in Burnaby, we have connected with RCMP so they are aware, and wanted to ensure that you had a heads up as well,” stated a message from the district to local school principals.
The message, obtained by the NOW, directed administrators to “remember to follow all protocols for a Lockdown, Hold and Secure, or Evacuation if need be.”
“Please contact us immediately if you hear anything at all,” the message said.
Several school districts across North America have stepped up security in response to vague, anonymous posts circulating online warning multiple schools would receive shooting and bomb threats on Dec. 17, according to a report in the Guardian.
In a social media post yesterday, TikTok’s communications team said the company is “working with law enforcement” on the issue and handles “even rumored threats with utmost seriousness.”
But the company said it hadn’t found any evidence the threats originated or spread via TikTok.
We handle even rumored threats with utmost seriousness, which is why we're working with law enforcement to look into warnings about potential violence at schools even though we have not found evidence of such threats originating or spreading via TikTok.
— TikTokComms (@TikTokComms) December 16, 2021
The rumoured challenge to call in fake threats and reports follows a couple of earlier TikTok challenges, including one that encouraged TikTokers to post videos of so-called “devious licks” – theft or vandalism, especially in schools.
When the most recent rumoured challenge was brought to the Burnaby district’s attention late Thursday, local school officials “proactively alerted principals so that they could be extra vigilant,” assistant superintendent Roberto Bombelli told the NOW in an emailed statement.
“We connected with the Burnaby RCMP, as well, so that we are prepared on all fronts should this take place,” he said. “We have emergency protocols in place that schools follow if something happens that has the potential to impact safety.”
Burnaby RCMP spokesperson Brett Cunningham said the detachment’s youth liaison officers are coordinating with the district to “improve communication throughout the day as to whether there’s any new information that comes up that suggests that could occur here.”
Cunningham said anyone who called in a bomb threat or false report about a shooter would face potential criminal charges.
“I would let the school district speak to whatever disciplinary action they’d have in school, but they would also face serious criminal code charges,” he said.
Follow Cornelia Naylor on Twitter @CorNaylor
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