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The present study describes the successful operation of an online forum designed to answer questions posted by Israeli elementary‐school children during an emergency exercise. Analysis of 212 posts revealed that being younger predict higher levels of emotional intensity. Younger children are 3.561 times more likely than older children to have an increase in emotional intensity. Overall, the model accounted for 5.5% of the variance in emotional intensity. School‐based online forums may be used as a universal screening method to enable school staff to identify children exhibiting enhanced emotional intensity. Given the restrictions on face‐to‐face interactions that are occasionally necessitated by the worldwide COVID‐19 crisis, this approach is particularly relevant nowadays. Detailed appendices are provided to help plan, initiate, and run such forums. Practitioner points: The present study describes the successful operation of an online forum designed to answer questions posted by elementary‐school children during an emergency exercise. Such a forum is particularly relevant following COVID‐19 crisis.School‐based online forums may be used as a universal screening method to enable school staff to identify children exhibiting enhanced emotional intensity.Younger children are 3.561 times more likely than older children to have an increase in emotional intensity in their posts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]