The “Student Death Note” Trend: What School Counselors Need to Know

In my ripe old age, I never imagined that I would be raising another teenager, but here I am, raising my grandson. The other day he came home and casually mentioned that a friend had asked him to help “construct a death note.”

Now, mind you, I have been officially out of the school counselor day-to-day grind for two years and recently stepped into a new role as a school therapist, so I was a little caught off guard that this was still a thing. I remember this trend surfacing years ago and, like many troubling student trends, I assumed it had faded into obscurity (that is what I get for assuming).

But like most bad trends in youth culture, they don’t really disappear. They resurface. They recycle. They catch fire again for no apparent reason and, without fail, catch us adults completely off guard. And this time, it wasn’t a report from the school — it was happening right in my kitchen, where my grandson tends to hang out most of the time.

So, What Is the “Death Note” Trend?

Again, educators across the U.S. have reported a concerning pattern: students creating handwritten “Death Notes” — lists of names labeled with titles like “Death Note” or “Kill List.” These lists are often inspired by pop culture, spread through social media or peer conversations, and prompt serious concern from school communities.

The term “Death Note” originates from a popular Japanese manga and anime of the same name, created by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata. (Side note: I am not personally interested in anime or manga, unlike my 20 something year children, so I am clueless about its ability to mesmerize youth). But here is my attempt to capture the storyline for you… in the story, a high-school student discovers a supernatural notebook that can kill anyone whose name is written in it — provided the writer knows the person’s face. Over the years this series, Death Note has sparked a lot of controversy. Some countries have even decided to ban it or censor the anime due to concerns about its content (well, I get it!) (Knowledge Voyager).

Okay, how has this story been translated into real time...like 2026? Death Notes refer to notebooks or lists where students write names — sometimes of classmates, teachers (yes, teachers), or others — often without any real intention of harm. However, this imitation of the fictional concept can be quite disturbing to educators and parents, especially when it becomes reality. Let's look at some real instances.

Origins and Current Popularity

While the Death Note series has been globally popular since the mid-2000s, recent years have seen renewed interest thanks to both good old streaming platforms and social media. Some students create Death Note-style lists as “edgy” or rebellious humor, while others replicate them after exposure to the anime or online trends.

Several U.S. schools have reported incidents where students brought such lists to school, prompting discipline and safety reviews. In late 2025, administrators in Central Dauphin School District, Pennsylvania, found students possessing homemade “Death Notes” referencing classmates or staff. Even though no direct threats were made, district officials described the behavior as serious, potentially threatening, and in violation of the student code of conduct — warranting suspensions or other disciplinary action (Local21News).

Okay, Is It Really Dangerous?

Even if students intend these lists as “jokes,” they can be interpreted as threats or intimidation:

1. Threat Perception: A list of names labeled “Death Note” can alarm peers and adults, particularly given ongoing concerns about school violence and historical school shootings. Believe me, we live in a different world today!! Currently, I serve a school where a school shooting happened in 2025, and the students and staff are still on high alert!
2. Emotional Impact: Students whose names appear on these lists may feel unsafe, anxious, or bullied. Teachers and staff have reported fear when their names were included. Ok, if my name was on a list, I would be a little upset too!!
3. School Safety Protocols: Even if no harm is intended, such behavior often triggers threat assessments. Schools may treat it as a serious violation, sometimes leading to suspensions or investigations.

What Can School Counselors Do?

As school counselors, we are on the front lines of supporting students’ emotional, social, and even their digital well-being. According to ASCA professional standards, counselors should promote responsible digital use, educate about online risks, and collaborate with families and educators to ensure safety.

Here are some key counselor actions:

• Assess student understanding and intent: Talk with students who create or are affected by “Death Notes” to explore motivations and emotional state.
• Provide emotional support: Some students use dark humor as a coping mechanism; counselors can help unpack underlying feelings or stressors. As a school therapist, I am working with a lot of students who have very dark humor, and they are often rejected by their peers. 
• Educate on digital citizenship: Teach students how media influence behavior and how to engage with media responsibly. Help students understand how and when to report threats. I will provide more information about how to help students later in this post. 
• Collaborate with staff: Work with administrators on threat assessments and safety procedures when incidents occur.
• Engage families: Communicate with caregivers about online trends and encourage monitoring of media and social media exposure.

Check out these Resources for Counselors and Educators:

• ASCA: The School Counselor and Student Safety with Digital Technology
• Digital Citizenship Curricula: Programs like Common Sense Education
• Mental Health Support Lines: U.S. National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988)

Teaching Students to Report Threats — Online and In-Person

Okay, let's get practical. One of the biggest challenges with trends like “Death Notes” is that students may not report them. They might see them as a joke, feel conflicted about a friend, or fear “snitching.” School counselors can teach students how to report threats safely and responsibly, both online and in real life. 

Here are some steps you can teach students to help them report threats to protect themselves and others. 

1. Teach What Counts as a Reportable Threat

Students should know how to report:

• Messages about hurting oneself (“I can’t do this anymore”)
• Threats to hurt others or lists like a “Death Note”
• Disturbing or alarming online posts
• Any situation that scares, confuses, or feels too heavy to carry alone

What to tell students: If it scares you, confuses you, or feels too big to carry alone — report it.

2. Give Them the Concrete Words to Say

Scripts help students feel confident reporting:

• “I’m worried about my friend. They said something that scared me.”
• “I saw something online that I think an adult needs to know about.”
• “I don’t want to get anyone in trouble, but I think someone might not be safe.”
• “Can I show you a message someone sent me?”

3. Identify Who to Tell

Be explicit and give students the name of school officials, especially if they are new students:

• School counselor
• Teacher
• Assistant principal
• School resource officer (SRO)
• Parent/guardian
• Anonymous reporting systems (if available)

Visual reminders like posters with staff photos are especially helpful.

4. Reframe “Snitching” as Caring

High school students often worry about loyalty. Remind them:

“Snitching gets someone in trouble. Reporting keeps someone alive.”

Role-playing reinforces this message.

5. Include Online Reporting

Students should know to:

• Take a screenshot
• Show it to a trusted adult
• Avoid investigating themselves

Platforms include: TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, Discord, and anonymous apps.

A really great resource for school counselors is the Say Something Protocol that can be easily taught in one classroom period. The protocol includes a class presentation, worksheet, and manual.

Conclusion

Okay, the “Death Note” trend among students is disturbing and illustrates how our current pop culture and social media can intersect with school safety and student well-being. While students may not really intend any harm, the emotional and procedural implications of writing actual real peoples’ names associated with death are serious.

As school counselors, we play a pivotal role in interpreting intent, providing support, and educating students about responsible media use — helping them make safe choices in an increasingly digital world. Awareness, compassion, and proactive reporting can turn concerning trends into opportunities for student growth.

By the way, I will soon be uploading some resources to help you with training your students to make reports. So, check out my TPT Store for updates.