App developers sprang into action when a 15-year-old student allegedly threatened Homestead High School on social media.
"When there are posts that threaten the safety of our users we will cooperate with local authorities to address the threat," says Adam Halper, Whatsgoodly CEO.
The superintendent of the Mequon Thiensville School District says several students showed officials the message. They handed it over to police, who contacted Whatsgoodly - a messaging app popular with some teens. A social media expert we talked to said that's a major change compared to other anonymous posting sites.
"With things like Yik Yak, Whisper, there have been threats before but they weren't necessarily followed up on in a timely manner," says Katie Klein, Boelter + Lincoln Social Media Marketing Manager.
Less than 12 hours after the threatening post went up, police got a search warrant, raided the student's home, and took the teen into custody.
"It's amazing for us to know that the young person responsible for this unfortunate message was obtained and in custody less than hours after the post," says Dr. Demond Means, superintendent.
Despite making an arrest in the threat, the superintendent says from this point on there will be heightened security at the school.
