OSWEGO, Ill. () — The mothers of two 13-year-old boys who were allegedly targeted by racist threats on Snapchat are calling on parents to keep a close watch on their children’s social media activity. Their plea comes after Oswego police announced hate crime and other felony charges against another 13-year-old boy.
Kisha Jenkins and Kiara Shaw said their sons received Snapchat messages containing their photos, racial slurs and threats.
“Hate, discrimination, racism, and even the threats that were in that message should never be tolerated, and you have to stand for something,” Shaw said.
Jenkins said the messages deeply affected her son.
“My child was, you know, very upset by it. He was very disturbed by it. He also felt threatened by it,” Jenkins said.
Shaw recounted some of the abusive and threatening language directed at her son.
“With my son, he called him a monkey, said he was going to do some nasty things to him, said he was going to sell him on Facebook,” Shaw said.
The mothers reported the messages to both police and Oswego School District 308.
In a message to families, the district superintendent urged adults to use the incident as an opportunity to discuss responsible technology use with children. “This moment must be a catalyst for change. It must be the reason we talk more deeply with young people about how they use technology, about the value and weight of their words … A post can take seconds to share and a lifetime to repair.”
The mothers said they hope the case prompts parents and children to think carefully about the consequences of online behavior.
“Hopefully, you know, people will from this point on, will educate their children on things that they should not be saying and doing,” Jenkins said.
Jenkins also said she sympathizes with the family of the boy who was charged.
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“And I don’t feel good on either part that my son has to deal with this, nor that the parents of this boy, who I know, have to deal with this situation because it’s heartbreaking,” she said.
Police said the accused boy appeared in juvenile court Friday and was released while awaiting another court date.
Oswego Community Unit School District 308 released the following statement:
“I am writing to you today with a heavy heart and a commitment.
“Last weekend, two of our students were targeted on social media. Their images were shared alongside threats and harassment, and the comments made about them were directed at their race, written to demean and to hurt. The Oswego Police Department has been involved, and their press release about the situation is linked below.
“Let me be clear: these harmful actions do not reflect the values of SD 308. This is not acceptable-not in our schools, not online, and not anywhere in our community. We are one community, and when any of our students is targeted because of who they are, all of us are affected.
“The impact of this incident reaches far. The lives of the students who were targeted, our broader community, and even the student who made the terrible decision to write, post, and share this content are forever changed.
“To the students who were targeted and to their families: we stand with you. You belong here, and we are committed to your safety and well-being.
“There is no undoing this situation, but there is a choice in what we do next. This moment must be a catalyst for change. It must be the reason we talk more deeply with young people about how they use technology, about the value and weight of their words, and about the importance of considering the outcome of their actions before they act. A post can take seconds to share and a lifetime to repair.
“Our commitment is grounded in Rightful Presence and our district’s Equity Policy. Our schools are carrying out this important work every day. Further, we will be extending learning opportunities and resources to families in the weeks ahead, because this work cannot happen in classrooms alone.
“I am asking something of every one of you: please talk with your students. Ask them what they see online. Ask them how they would respond if they saw someone being targeted. Remind them that their words matter, that silence can feel like agreement, and that reaching out to a trusted adult is always the right thing to do.
“If your student is struggling as a result of this incident, our school counselors and social workers are ready to help. Please reach out to your school directly.
“We are stronger than this moment. Let’s show our students, through our words and our actions, what it means to be one community.”
