San Antonio ISD

Keeping Our Students, Families, and Schools Safe Every Day

The P3 system allows families and students to report any safety concerns anonymously, whether it’s bullying, online threats, or campus safety. Reports are sent to school authorities for quick and effective action. Help us keep our schools safe—if you see something, say something.

P3 Anonymous Reporting

Online & Digital Safety

In today’s digital world, it’s important to stay safe online. Get tips on protecting your child from social media threats, cyberbullying, and other online dangers.

Social Media Threats
Sexting
Cyberbullying

What is This?

Social media threats happen when someone uses platforms like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or Snapchat to make harmful or threatening statements about others, including students, staff, or schools. These threats can be frightening and may result in serious consequences, even if they were meant as a joke. It’s important for families to recognize what social media threats are and how to handle them.

Watch & Learn

Why This Matters

Social media threats can cause panic, disrupt learning, and lead to law enforcement involvement. Even if a student doesn’t intend to follow through on a threat, making one—whether it’s a joke or out of anger—can have serious consequences. Students may face suspension, legal action, or even arrest. Understanding the importance of safe and respectful online behavior helps keep our schools and communities safe.

How Can I Help My Child?

Talk openly about social media safety: Explain to your child that making or sharing threats online is serious and can have lasting consequences.
Encourage responsible online behavior: Teach your child to think carefully before they post or share anything, especially when they’re angry or upset.
Report threats immediately: Let your child know they should come to you or a trusted adult if they ever see a threat online. It’s important not to ignore or downplay these situations.
Set boundaries for social media use: Discuss limits for time spent on social media and monitor their activity to ensure they’re staying safe.
Promote kindness and respect online: Encourage your child to use social media to connect in positive ways, and remind them that their words—online or offline—can have a big impact.

What qualifies as a social media threat?
Any statement, message, or post that threatens harm to a person, group, or school can be considered a social media threat. This includes threats to cause physical harm, damage property, or even disrupt school activities.

What should I do if my child sees or hears about a threat online?
Encourage your child to report it immediately to you, their school, or law enforcement. Don’t assume that someone else will handle it—quick reporting can prevent a threat from escalating.

What happens if a student makes a threat, even as a joke?
Whether a threat is made in anger or as a joke, it is taken seriously by schools and law enforcement. Students who make threats may face suspension or expulsion and could also be charged with a crime.

Can I monitor my child’s social media activity?
Yes, and it’s recommended that parents stay involved. Set clear boundaries around social media use, and regularly check in with your child about their online interactions to make sure they’re safe.

If you're concerned about social media threats or want to learn more, here are some places to reach out for support:

SAISD School Safety Office: Contact the safety team if you see or hear about any social media threats involving your child's school.

CyberTipline: A national resource where you can report threats and other online dangers.

SAISD Counseling Services: Speak with a school counselor for guidance on how to talk to your child about online safety.

Local law enforcement: In case of immediate danger, contact your local police department or school resource officer.

What is This?

Sexting is when people share sexually explicit messages, photos, or videos through their phones or other digital devices. While some may think it's harmless, sexting can have serious and long-lasting consequences, especially for teens and young adults. It’s important for families to understand the risks and how to talk about them.

Watch & Learn

Why This Matters

Sexting may seem private, but once a photo or message is sent, it can be shared, misused, or fall into the wrong hands. For students, this can lead to embarrassment, bullying, and even legal trouble. Teaching children about the risks of sharing personal images can help protect them from these dangers.

Additionally, many don’t realize that sharing explicit photos of minors—even if they are minors themselves—is illegal and could result in serious consequences.

How Can I Help My Child?

Start the conversation early: Talk to your child about the risks of sexting and how nothing sent online is ever truly private.
Set clear rules: Establish guidelines for using phones, social media, and other digital platforms. Make sure your child understands the potential dangers.
Encourage critical thinking: Teach your child to think before they post or share anything online—whether it’s with friends, on social media, or via text.
Model responsible behavior: Show your child what healthy online boundaries look like by setting a good example yourself.
Stay informed: Keep up to date with the apps and platforms your child is using. Knowing where they spend their time online can help you guide them in making smart decisions.

Is sexting really that common among teens?
Unfortunately, yes. Studies show that many teens are exposed to or participate in sexting, often without fully understanding the consequences.

What are the legal consequences of sexting?
In Texas, it is illegal for minors to share explicit photos, even with one another. Both sending and receiving explicit images can result in legal consequences, including charges related to child pornography.

How can I monitor my child’s online activity without invading their privacy?
Start by having open conversations about digital safety and the risks of sexting. Set boundaries for phone and social media use, and regularly check in with them about who they’re talking to online.

What should I do if my child has already sent or received an explicit image?
Act quickly. Talk to your child about what happened, and contact your child’s school or law enforcement if necessary. Taking steps to stop the image from being shared further can help limit the damage.

If you need more information or support, here are resources that can help:

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: Provides guidance on protecting children from sexting and how to report inappropriate behavior.

CyberTipline: Report incidents of online exploitation, including sexting.

SAISD Counseling Services: Reach out to your child's school counselor for advice and support on handling sexting issues.

Local law enforcement: If your child is a victim or if illegal activity is involved, contact local authorities.

What is This?

Cyberbullying occurs when someone uses digital platforms—such as social media, texting, or gaming—to harass, threaten, or embarrass others. It’s a growing concern, especially among teenagers, and can cause significant emotional harm. Cyberbullying often happens anonymously, making it more challenging to address, but our schools have strict policies to tackle it.

Watch & Learn

Why This Matters

Cyberbullying can have devastating effects on a child's mental health, leading to anxiety, depression, and even thoughts of self-harm. It often goes unnoticed because it happens in digital spaces, but it’s just as harmful as face-to-face bullying. Protecting children from online harassment is critical to their well-being.

Key reasons why cyberbullying prevention matters:

Mental health impact: Victims of cyberbullying often experience depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal.
Digital safety: Teaching children about responsible online behavior helps create a safer digital environment for everyone.
Awareness and intervention: Early intervention can prevent long-term emotional and psychological harm.

How Can I Help My Child?

Open Communication: Regularly talk to your child about their online activities and any concerns they may have.

Monitor Online Use: Keep an eye on your child’s digital presence, including social media and gaming platforms.

Set Boundaries: Establish rules for online behavior and encourage your child to come to you if they encounter anything harmful online.

Encourage Reporting: Teach your child how to report cyberbullying on social platforms and encourage them to speak out when they see others being bullied.

How do I know if my child is being cyberbullied?
Look for changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, upset after using their phone, or avoiding social activities. Encourage your child to talk about their online experiences.

What can I do if my child is being cyberbullied?
Report the cyberbullying to the platform where it occurred, save evidence (screenshots, messages), and contact your child’s school for support. In severe cases, contact law enforcement.

How does the school address cyberbullying?
Our school has a zero-tolerance policy for bullying, including cyberbullying. We investigate all reports and take necessary actions to support victims and address the behavior of those involved.

If your child is experiencing cyberbullying, contact their school counselor for guidance and resources.

Contact Us

San Antonio ISD Police Department
Phone: (210) 354-9050

or

Office of Family and Community Engagement
Phone: (210) 554-2205 | Email: familyengagement@saisd.net