North Fulton Today

Polk County called off school on Friday, Dec. 17, after social media posts were made that threatened the safety of students. 

The decision came after a “TikTok challenge” that emerged that encouraged fake bomb and shooting threats, according to CBS 46.

“We have turned all information over to our law enforcement agencies,” a statement from Polk Schools read in a report. “Together, we can continue to partner to keep our schools safe.”

Authorities in cities across the country said they’ve received no evidence that the threats are credible, but school officials are taking heightened safety measures as a precaution, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. 

“At least a dozen students are ARRESTED nationwide following 'school shooting TikTok challenge' after copycat Ethan Crumbley massacre threats,” Twitter user IntoTheMystic said in a Dec. 18 Tweet. 

CBS 46 reports that Cook County also cancelled school and a bomb threat was reported in Athens at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School. After authorities did a “full sweep” of the school, nothing was found and classes resumed. Additionally, a 14-year-old in Newton County was charged with making terroristic threats against staff and students. 

Fox 5 Atlanta reports that Polk County enrolls 7,800 students in the district. 

Atlanta Public Schools sent out a letter to parents saying they should expect to see heightened security within schools. 

“This situation serves as a good example of why it is important to avoid sharing posts online that refer to school safety threats,” the letter said, according to WSB TV. “Even if they are not credible threats, they can cause a great deal of stress and anxiety for our students, families, and staff. We ask our families to monitor their children’s social media activity and speak with them about proper behavior online.”

TikTok has removed most of the challenges from its platform, according to Fox 5 Atlanta. 

"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," the company wrote, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.