In an effort to strengthen school safety, Florida has introduced new measures to address a troubling rise in false school threat reports, many stemming from misuse of the FortifyFL app. Designed to allow students to anonymously report suspicious activity, the app has inadvertently caused a surge in fake tips, overwhelming law enforcement and school administrators.

“We saw a 300% increase in false threats in the two weeks before Hurricane Helene,” said John Newman, Hillsborough County Schools’ security chief. “It became nearly impossible to separate legitimate concerns from the fake ones, hampering law enforcement efforts.”

This fall, 15 students in Hillsborough County have faced felony charges for submitting false threats, highlighting the severity of the issue.

To combat the problem, the State Board of Education now requires school districts to educate parents about the FortifyFL app and the legal consequences of false reporting. Parents are urged to monitor their children’s use of social media and electronic devices to prevent misuse.

“If you’re a parent, pay attention to what your kids are doing online—whether it’s a tablet, computer, or phone,” Newman advised.

He also delivered a clear warning to students: “If you knowingly submit a false threat through FortifyFL, law enforcement will charge you criminally, and you could face jail time.”

These stricter policies aim to curb false reports and ensure law enforcement can focus on real threats to keep schools safe.

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