New Federal Swatting Guidance for K–12 and Campus Leaders

Swatting forces schools and colleges to respond to a frightening possibility before they can determine whether it is real. As these incidents become a growing concern, the U.S. Departments of Education and Justice released new federal guidance on September 25, 2026 to help education leaders prepare.

A False Threat Can Cause Lasting Disruption

The Departments of Education and Justice define swatting as harassment that uses a false report of a serious emergency to send law enforcement or other emergency responders to a targeted location. A fabricated report can trigger lockdowns and canceled classes, with disruption and distress continuing after officials rule out the reported danger.

On September 11, 2025, threats against historically Black colleges and universities disrupted campuses across five states. Institutions suspended classes and restricted movement. In a statement issued that day, the FBI said it was aware of hoax threat calls and had no information indicating a credible threat, but the impact continued.

At Southern University in Louisiana, official updates announced a lockdown at 11 a.m. and its lifting at 12:30 p.m.. Yet classes and campus activities remained canceled through the weekend, with classes resuming Monday, September 15.

The consequences also reached beyond canceled classes. The next day, the NAACP called for expanded access to mental health resources, acknowledging the psychological burden on campus communities. Following a separate August 24, 2025, swatting incident, University of South Carolina leaders reported two days later that some people were still struggling and directed students to well-being services and academic support.

The latest federal guidance provides a framework for protecting people while assessing a threat. Below, we summarize those recommendations, then share 911Cellular’s additional recommendations for managing uncertainty, keeping your community informed and supporting recovery after the all-clear.

What the Federal Swatting Guidance Recommends

The new guidance from the Departments of Education and Justice advises schools and colleges to treat threats as credible when received, follow their emergency procedures and work with law enforcement to determine whether the threat is real or a hoax. The letter is nonbinding and does not create new legal requirements. Schools and colleges should continue following applicable laws and their established emergency procedures.

Its recommendations include:

• Prepare staff who may receive threats. Train them to gather useful information and follow established reporting procedures.

• Coordinate with law enforcement. Establish contacts and maintain information sharing throughout the incident.

• Assign responsibility. Identify who assesses threats, leads communications and coordinates notifications.

• Practice the response. Use tabletop exercises to test decision-making before an incident.

• Manage public information. Prepare messaging and encourage people to report threats rather than amplify them online.

The complete federal letter includes further recommendations and links to training and response resources.

911Cellular’s Perspective: Lead Through Uncertainty and Plan for Recovery

At 911Cellular, we recommend building on the federal guidance with particular attention to how your community experiences an incident: finding trusted updates, navigating unanswered questions and returning to learning afterward. Assign responsibility for ongoing communication and recovery so those needs remain part of the response beyond the all-clear.

Establish Official Communication Channels Before an Incident

Help people recognize official sources before they must sort through rumors during an emergency. Use onboarding, family communications and preparedness materials to explain how to enroll in mass alerts, identify institutional accounts and find verified updates.

Reinforce those channels with every incident update. Give people a way to report concerning information without reposting it publicly, consistent with the federal guidance’s “Report, Don’t Repost” recommendation.

Make Room for Uncertainty in Your Communications

Even established channels cannot eliminate uncertainty. During the August 24, 2025, swatting incident at the University of South Carolina, officials issued Carolina Alerts. During the incident, footage also circulated of a student carrying an umbrella mistaken for a weapon. Authorities confirmed the student had no involvement.

University leaders later acknowledged frustration about unanswered questions and misinformation spreading online. They emphasized sharing confirmed information rather than sacrificing accuracy for speed.

Building on those concerns, we recommend explaining what officials know, what remains under investigation and what people should do next. Coordinate with incident leadership and law enforcement to correct misinformation once facts are verified and appropriate to release. When possible, say when to expect another update. Avoid calling the incident a hoax before authorized officials make that determination.

Treat the All-Clear as the Beginning of Recovery

Lifting a lockdown does not necessarily mean classes or normal operations can resume. Help your community understand the transition by explaining when classes restart, what restrictions remain and how transportation, pickup or residential arrangements will work.

As people return, acknowledge what they experienced without dismissing it as “just a hoax.” Include counseling and other student and employee support resources in follow-up messages and continue sharing them in the days ahead.

Support the return to normal with clear staff guidelines, within institutional policies, for adjusting deadlines, rescheduling tests and responding to requests for help. This gives staff direction when students need flexibility after the disruption.

Strengthen Your Plan Through Your Community’s Experience

Include community feedback in your after-action review. Could people understand the instructions, find reliable updates and access support? Give them a way to raise concerns, then use what you learn to revise procedures and shape your next exercise.

Build on the federal guidance by including communication and recovery in your institution’s broader emergency plan. These recommendations can help your community navigate uncertainty, resume daily routines and find support after the all-clear.

Learn how 911Cellular supports coordinated emergency response with our K–12 School Safety and Campus Safety solutions.

Disclaimer: This article summarizes federal guidance and provides additional operational recommendations from 911Cellular. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or a determination of regulatory compliance. Consult official sources and qualified legal counsel regarding requirements applicable to your organization. Implementing a safety system does not, by itself, establish compliance.