Police in Hawaii schools are pushing back against a wave of social media threats, and this is good news for student safety even though the problem keeps growing.

• Several Oahu schools had lockdowns this year after threats posted on social media.
• Officers say some students see making threats as a joke or a dare, not realizing it's a crime even from a fake account.
• The dangers aren't just threats — officers also cite cases of online predators and AI-generated fake photos targeting young people.
• School Resource Officers say daily contact with students, now in its second year, helps them catch problems early and build trust.

Outlook: Expect schools to keep treating online threats as serious crimes, with officers warning that tactics will keep evolving as technology changes.