Small Business Solutions

Police have arrested a teenage student after the student made a social media threat against East Trails Middle School in Lee’s Summit.The threat was made on TikTok.The FBI and Lee’s Summit police tracked the suspect down on Monday.Police and cyber experts say the arrest should serve as a warning to parents and teenagers about how easy it can be to track posts online.Its very serious, said Lee’s Summit police Sgt. Chris Depue. We can instantly subpoena a social media company, whether it be TikTok, Facebook or Instagram; theyll provide us an IP address.Depue and cyber expert Burton Kelso say that IP address can eventually be traced to someones home, school or business address.Once online, always online, Kelso said. You may think you have an anonymous account on social media, but in reality, social media knows exactly where you are through the combination of your internet or IP address, or even GPS location.On Monday, law enforcement found the young suspect within hours of the threats being made against East Trails Middle School.They obtained a subpoena in the afternoon, worked with TikTok, and by midnight, they had the teen in custody.For people who believe they are anonymous on the internet or that these are funny, I want to stress the damage it does and the fear and anxiety it creates, Depue said. And also the fact that we will find you, and we will prosecute you.Police and school district leaders also warned teens and parents not to repost any threats online, as it can delay the investigation.