A school in Melbourne’s southeast was thrown into lockdown after an alleged “threatening social media post”.

St Bede’s College in Mentone was put into lockdown at 8.25am on Wednesday. The lockdown followed a photo being posted to social media on Tuesday night, which was captioned “I’m unloading mags on my teacher”, according to the Herald Sun.

Parents flocked to Facebook on Wednesday morning, with one claiming the photo had spurred the lockdown. “Sadly I believe a kid has posted a photo with a weapon. I hope I’ve heard wrong. However apparently kids are snap chat about this,” one person wrote to Facebook. “Can confirm – male posted a photo of a gun and bullets, mentioning of wanting to harm a teacher,” another replied.

Police Investigation and Lockdown

A Victoria Police spokesperson has confirmed the Moorabbin Crime Investigation Unit was investigating a “threatening social media post” reported about 11pm on Tuesday. “The post did not include threats against any particular school or person,” the spokesperson said. “Investigations to determine who created the post are underway. There is currently no threat to St Bede’s College in Mentone.”

A text message to parents on Wednesday morning confirmed the lockdown, however emergency services are yet to provide an update. “Message from St Bedes College: Mentone Campus is still in lockdown and no further updates. All students and staff are safe,” the text read.

School Lockdown Lifted

The school has released a statement confirming the lockdown has been lifted. “To our community, all our students and staff are safe. At 8.25am this morning, St Bede’s College Mentone commenced lockdown on the advice of Police as part of a Police Operation,” the statement read. “At 9.40am the lockdown was lifted, and classes have resumed as normal. Thank you to all our community for your cooperation and understanding.”

St Bede’s College: A Catholic Boys School

St Bede’s College is a catholic boys school, founded in 1938. Annual fees to attend the college begin at $9,380 for Year 7 students, with the figure rising to $9,580 for Year 12 students. The total fees include annual tuition, maintenance and development of the facilities, membership for the parents and friends association, and a laptop. However the fees don’t include uniform, Year 7 to 10 english novels, Year 11 and 12 textbooks, stationery and optional college trips — including ski trips, European History Tours and Indigenous Immersion Tours). There are 1,900 students across the Mentone and Bentleigh East campuses as of 2023.

The Ripple Effect: Social Media’s Impact on School Safety

The incident at St Bede’s College highlights the growing concern about the impact of social media on school safety. With the rise of online platforms, it has become increasingly easy for individuals to spread misinformation and threats, creating widespread panic and disruption. The incident also underscores the importance of swift and decisive action by authorities in responding to such threats, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff.

This event serves as a stark reminder of the need for responsible social media use, especially among young people. Open communication between students, parents, and school officials is crucial in creating a safe and secure learning environment. As technology continues to evolve, so must our approach to navigating its potential pitfalls and harnessing its positive aspects to create a better future for our children.