Bill aims to Stop Spread of Online School Threats
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office received a threat on Snapchat after a student allegedly posted one, prompting a quick reporting to police by the boy’s mother. Sheriff Jeff Smith said that thanks to the quick reporting, the student was caught at school without alarm.
However, sheriff Smith highlighted that many other cases end up spreading fast, creating a huge hassle for law enforcement and anxiety for students and teachers.
Data Reveals Spread of Social Media Threats
Assistant Attorney at Tully Rinckey PLLC Matthew Winchell explained the impact of sharing threats, saying it makes it easier to further spread the risk and accountability becomes harder with online platforms.
A proposed bill hopes to enhance public safety, mandating immediate reporting of threats on social media related to schools or public institutions. This means if users spot a threat on websites like Instagram or Snapchat in their emails, they’d be obligated to report them to police.
Accountability a Key Factor
Winchell shared concerns about verifying individual’s roles in reportorial procedures, citing problems of mass sharing on huge friend circles, such like the over 900 his account currently has. There seems a significant risk facing a bill to ensure successful legislation
The author of the initiative, Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara, emphasizes sharing as important as it stops disasters through law enforcement cooperation and sharing vital evidence as possible by ensuring immediate reporting these dangers at public institutions when spotted and not just through
Bipartisan Support to Improve the Bill
The amendment focuses exclusively on children above the age of 12 as they have a social impact by being a lawbreak for any social event while adults have no rights when facing threats, an opportunity will be provided
During the upcoming 2025 session of the legislature at an individual’s request would get away from this compulsory filing procedure, while no
Conclusion
The proposed bills address online threats and are focused on public safety efforts with both houses’ expectations from legislative session in collaboration between individuals, and we’re grateful for their willingness and active involvement in bringing people, schools, our public authorities together
