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9 students arrested since August over threats against Broward schools

This combination shows the logos of Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat on mobile devices. Florida's new digital bill of rights goes into effect July 1, 2024 requiring new privacy disclosures and rules for most large ad-based Internet companies.
AP
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AP
This combination shows the logos of Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat on mobile devices.

“Frustrating. Disheartening. Disgusting." Those are the words that one Broward County school board member is using to describe online threats to South Florida schools made by students in recent weeks.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that nine local students have been arrested since August for allegedly posting threats against Broward County schools online.

According to investigators, the students are between the ages of 11 and 15 and the threats were often posted on social media platforms including Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok.

Several students said they intended the threats as a joke.

But whether it's a prank or not, making a written threat to kill, inflict bodily injury or conduct a mass shooting, is a felony in Florida.

READ MORE: Florida school district must restore books with LGBTQ+ content under settlement

Ammy Sanchez is the Morning Edition producer for WLRN. She graduated with her bachelor's degree in communications from the Honors College at Florida International University.
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