Online safety in the spotlight: What students and parents need to know about social media threats
COACHELLA VALLEY, Calif. (KESQ) - One post. Real consequences.
From threatening messages to unverified rumors, what students share on social media can have serious consequences that extend far beyond their phone screens, potentially affecting entire school communities and even prompting criminal investigations.
Following recent conversations about online behavior and school safety at a local high school, News Channel 3 spoke with mental health and law enforcement professionals about the risks of online activity, how authorities investigate potential threats and what students and parents should do when they encounter concerning content.
The emotional impact of online behavior
Sue Ann Blach, Mental Health Manager for Desert Sands Unified School District, said young people may not always recognize the potential consequences of what they post online.
Blach explained that the part of the brain responsible for judgment and decision-making continues developing during adolescence, which can affect how young people evaluate their actions and anticipate potential outcomes.
That can become particularly concerning when students share threatening messages or disturbing content without fully considering how others might interpret it.
"Maybe it is a joke to you," Blach said. "However, when you post it on a platform such as social media, people don't know your intentions."
Blach emphasized that the emotional consequences can extend beyond the individual targeted by a post.
Students who encounter threatening or disturbing messages may experience anxiety, fear or other emotional responses, even when they are not directly involved in the situation.
She explained that concerning online content can activate the brain's threat response and may be particularly distressing for students who have previously experienced trauma.
Blach also warned that rapidly circulating information can contribute to misunderstandings and misinformation.
She compared the spread of unverified social media posts to a game of telephone, in which information changes as it passes from one person to another.
When online posts become police investigations
For law enforcement, concerning online behavior can require a response even before investigators determine whether a threat is credible.
Palm Springs Police Department Detective Edmond Escalada told News Channel 3 that officers take reports of potential threats seriously and work to determine what information is factual.
Escalada said reports may initially come through parents, school staff or directly to law enforcement.
Once notified, investigators coordinate with school officials to assess the situation and determine whether additional safety measures are necessary.
Those decisions can include whether a school lockdown is warranted, whether parents should be notified and whether investigators need to conduct additional safety checks.
Detectives may also interview students, school staff and witnesses while reviewing evidence to establish the circumstances surrounding a reported threat.
Escalada said even messages intended as jokes can lead to investigations and potentially criminal consequences, depending on the circumstances.
He emphasized that students may not fully appreciate how seriously others can interpret what they share.
Anonymous accounts and deleted posts
Escalada also addressed a common misconception about online anonymity.
"There's an assumption that we cannot track anonymous posts," Escalada said.
He explained that investigators have methods for identifying the potential source of concerning online activity, including coordinating with social media platforms and obtaining search warrants when appropriate.
While an anonymous username may conceal someone's identity from other users, it does not necessarily prevent law enforcement from investigating who is responsible.
Deleting a post also does not guarantee the information disappears.
Escalada said investigators may still be able to access relevant material, particularly when screenshots have already been captured or shared.
He also warned that widespread circulation of unverified screenshots and rumors can complicate investigations.
When large amounts of information begin circulating, detectives must work to separate verified evidence from speculation.
Escalada said that process can require additional investigative resources and potentially divert attention from the most relevant information.
However, he emphasized that students and parents should continue providing relevant screenshots and information directly to authorities.
What students should do when they see a concerning post
Sandy Hook Promise, the national nonprofit organization behind the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, provided News Channel 3 with guidance on how students should respond when they encounter concerning online behavior.
The organization recommends three steps:
- Recognize the warning signs. Take concerning messages seriously, including threats of violence, references to weapons, bullying, expressions of hopelessness or other signs that someone may be in distress.
- Act immediately. Do not ignore or dismiss potentially dangerous content, and avoid liking or publicly sharing posts that could amplify rumors or harmful information.
- Say something. Report concerns to a trusted adult, school counselor, teacher, administrator or through an appropriate reporting system.
Sandy Hook Promise said students and adults can submit anonymous tips through its Say Something system, which operates around the clock.
According to the organization, trained crisis counselors receive and evaluate reports, gathering relevant information to determine the appropriate response.
Reports are categorized based on their level of urgency.
Concerns involving an imminent threat of serious bodily harm or death are classified as life-safety matters, while less urgent reports are generally handled through school-level response teams.
When necessary, crisis counselors coordinate with local response teams that may include school administrators, security personnel, social workers and law enforcement officers.
Resources available to Coachella Valley students
Desert Sands Unified School District uses the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System and provides additional mental health resources for students.
Blach said the district has wellness team members at its school sites, including counselors, school psychologists, student assistance program counselors and school-based mental health therapists.
Students experiencing anxiety, online harassment, cyberbullying or other emotional challenges can reach out to trusted staff members for assistance.
The district also offers a Request for Assistance form that students, parents, caregivers and community members can use to seek support.
Blach encouraged parents to pay attention to changes in their children's behavior, including withdrawal or other unusual patterns, and to maintain open conversations about their online experiences.
Escalada echoed the importance of parental involvement, encouraging families to discuss social media activity and the potential consequences of online behavior.
For anyone who encounters a concerning post, he recommended notifying school officials or law enforcement promptly rather than allowing potential safety concerns to go unreported.
How to report a concern
Students and families can access the Say Something Anonymous Reporting System through:
- Website: saysomething.net
- Phone: 1-844-5-SAYNOW (1-844-572-9669)
- Mobile app: Say Something Anonymous Reporting System
Students can also speak directly with a trusted teacher, counselor, school administrator or school resource officer.
Anyone facing an immediate emergency should call 911.
As students continue navigating an increasingly digital world, Escalada said his message is simple.
"I would say think twice and really consider what you're posting online," he said. "Once it goes online, it's for everyone to see."
For investigators, mental health professionals and school officials, the broader concern is ensuring students understand that online activity can carry consequences well beyond the original message.
