ONLY ON 13: Mom says she has no regrets in search for her daughter

SPRING, TX (KTRK) -- After a day with her mother and pastor, Alyssa Schaefer is going back to school Thursday.

"It feels like everybody is going to stare at me. I'll see like five million eyes, just like 'eww its her,'" Alyssa said.

FULL VIDEO: Teen reunited with family after missing for nearly 48 hours

FULL VIDEO: "We just decided to run." One of the two Klein Collins High School students who was missing for nearly 48 hours was found safe.

The 15-year-old and her friend ran away Monday after school. Within hours of Alyssa's disappearance, her mom, Victoria, posted a desperate plea on social media for her return -- which was shared thousands of times.

"I want to thank all of them, really," Victoria said.

Many on social media are criticizing the huge police response for the two teenagers, who have admitted they were hiding from searchers.

Experts turn to social media in case of missing students

"There were quite a few resources expended yesterday, but she's home, he's home. They're safe. All is well that ends well," said David Kimberly, Klein ISD Police Chief.

Kimberly says the search proves social media is an important tool for parents. The more Victoria's post was shared, the more agencies got involved.

"We actually received phone calls and help from agencies that we had not actually contacted and that's due to social media," he said.

His only request for parents: Talk to police before you post to make sure you're not compromising their investigation.

"I would do everything I possibly could to find my daughter just as I did," Victoria added. "If it weren't for social media, she probably wouldn't have been found."

The mother of a missing teen speaks near the spot her daughter was last seen on Monday