Police warning parents about dangerous online trend seen in local schools
Published at
SHELLEY — The Shelley Police Department is warning parents and students about the consequences of participating in a dangerous new social media trend.
According to a Facebook post from the department, students have been participating in a viral social media prank, where a student yells, “He has a gun!” in a crowded space. The purpose is to get reactions and record the chaos that is then posted online.
“In today’s environment, those words immediately signal a life-threatening situation: people panic, kids run, someone can get injured or trampled. Law enforcement will respond as if there is an active threat and schools can go into lockdown,” the police department says. “What started as ‘content’ can end in criminal charges, suspension, expulsion, or someone getting seriously hurt.”
The police department urges parents to talk to their children about the dangers of the trend and the real-world consequences that can come from it.
“If your child sees this behavior online or at school, encourage them to report it immediately. Silence helps trends spread. Accountability stops them,” the police department says. “We all want our kids safe. That starts with honest conversations at home.”
Shelley Police Officer Joe Pacheco recommends talking with your child about the trend as soon as possible to make the dangers clear.
“Talk to your child directly. Explain that false threats are treated as threats. Make it clear that participating, filming, or encouraging it still makes them responsible. Remind them that digital footprints don’t disappear,” Pacheco says. “Ask them what they would do if they heard someone yell that in a hallway or cafeteria. This is about safety, words have consequences. In a school setting, especially, they carry weight.”