Area school superintendents banded together to share a message on school safety and social media with the families of thousands of students after a rash of threats against local schools last week and this week.

In a letter signed by 10 area superintendents, including Suffolk Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Deran Whitney, the superintendents urge parents to teach their children to use the internet and social media responsibly.

“We are joining together with local police agencies to address disturbing social media posts or comments made that could be perceived as a threat,” the superintendents wrote. “Any threat made against any one of our schools — even those made ‘as a joke’ — will have serious repercussions, including potential criminal charges and a possible recommendation for expulsion from school.”

The most recent spate of threats were mostly similar in nature and were posted on social media naming multiple schools, including Suffolk’s Nansemond River and Lakeland high schools. The threats came after the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where a former student reportedly opened fire and killed 17 students and teachers.

Students in other school divisions have been arrested and charged. According to a letter earlier this week from Lakeland High School Principal Douglas Wagoner, a student was identified in a perceived threat against that school and was being dealt with according to policy.

“We need your help at home,” reads the letter from the superintendents, which is dated Wednesday. “We all have a responsibility to treat information regarding school safety with caution. The oversharing of misinformation in most cases will create problems, not prevent them.”

The superintendents urged parents and their students to report threats but not to share or repost them on social media channels.

Parents also should know what websites and social media their children are using, look at what they are posting and who they are following. Parents should also stress that there are severe consequences to making such threats.

Parents were also urged to talk with their children about recent local and national incidents and help them work through their feelings.

“Working together at school and at home, we can and will make a difference for our children and our community,” the superintendents wrote.

The letter was shared with families across Hampton Roads by various means, including through a Peachjar e-flier message. It is also available on the school division’s website, www.spsk12.net.