School violence threats by teenagers remain a serious and persistent problem.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, multiple incidents of school threats and violence have been reported, leading to increased police vigilance and alerts within school communities.
Last Sunday, October 19, Port St. Lucie authorities received several calls from concerned parents regarding a TikTok video about bomb threats at Southport Middle School.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the TikTok account that posted the video was under the name “Benjamin Franklyn” and had an IP address registered through Comcast.
Detectives were also able to determine the type of phone used to create the account and the date and time of its creation.
The investigation led detectives to a residence in Port St. Lucie, where they identified a 14-year-old boy, who attends Southport Middle School, as the minor who created the account with his iPhone and posted the threatening video on TikTok.
The investigation found that the threats were a prank and that the minor did not possess materials to make bombs.
As part of the investigation, officers also notified School Safety and informed them about the specific threats.
The suspect was identified, taken into custody, and charged with one count of making electronic threats to kill, cause bodily harm, or commit an act of terrorism.
He was subsequently transferred to the Department of Juvenile Justice. It is important to note that this type of threat brings a series of consequences, which we outline below.
Consequences for the teenager
Legal
- Felony: In Florida, making a written threat (which can include social media posts) is a second-degree felony. A minor can be charged with crimes such as terrorist threats, stalking, or harassment.
- Federal charges: If the threat is transmitted through social media, it is considered a federal offense, which can result in up to five years in federal prison, in addition to state charges.
- Possibility of prosecution as an adult: In serious cases, a minor can be transferred to the adult criminal justice system.
- Criminal record: A conviction can result in a criminal record that will affect the young person’s future education and employment opportunities.
- Detention: A minor may face detention in a juvenile facility, especially if the threat is considered serious.
- Community service and counseling: Courts often order psychological evaluations, mandatory counseling, or community service as part of the sentence.
School-related
- Suspension or expulsion: Schools take threats very seriously and may suspend or expel a student, regardless of their age or whether the threat was a “joke.”
- School transfer: The student could be reassigned to an alternative school.
How the community can help combat the problem
Prevention and effective response require a community-wide effort, from parents and students to schools and law enforcement.
Encourage open communication
- Talk to young people: Parents should maintain constant communication with their children about their friends, school, and concerns. Fostering an environment where they feel safe to discuss their problems is crucial.
- Educate about consequences: It is vital that parents talk to their children about the serious consequences of online threats. They must understand that even a “joke” can ruin their future.
Strengthen school safety and resources
- Anonymous reporting programs: Promote the use of tools like the FortifyFL app, which allows reporting threats anonymously and securely to authorities.
- Identify warning signs: Train students, teachers, and parents to recognize warning signs of mental health issues or concerning behavior.
- Mental health support systems: Schools should have easily accessible mental health resources for students, including counseling and referrals to external services.
Involve the community
- Collaboration with police: Immediately report any threats or concerning behavior to law enforcement instead of sharing them on social media. Reposting a threat only causes panic and diverts resources.
- Raise awareness about the impact: Educate the community about the social cost of false threats, which include diverting police resources, disrupting school, and causing emotional trauma for students and parents.
- Create a positive school climate: Support school programs that promote emotional intelligence, camaraderie, and inclusion to create a safer and more respectful environment.
- Online monitoring: Parents and schools can establish social media monitoring policies, especially for students with a history of concerning behavior.
