North East schools warning parents over "dangerous" WhatsApp group
Primary School aged children are being added, sometimes without them knowing.
Last updated 28th Mar 2024
Some schools across the North East have sent out warning messages and letters to parents and carers after a "dangerous" WhatsApp group popped up.
The group, which we're choosing not to name, has at least 500 members and is growing.
Children as young as 10 are being added, sometimes without their knowledge.
The group encourages and promotes self-harm and has meant swift action by schools to warn parents.
In one letter, seen by our reporter Micky Welch, a school in Gateshead has advised parents and carers to monitor thier child's phone closely adding a safety guide from the NSPCC to be read over.
In a subsequent post, also seen by Micky, a Facebook group for NHS staff with children have shared a message from mental health workers asking members to be vigilant both professionally and personally with patients and their own children.
Val McFarlane, from the Bullying Intervention Group in County Durham told us:
“At the moment I understand it’s about self-harm, but, inappropriate videos, photographs or absolutely anything could be distributed.
You can’t constantly know what your child is accessing online or who they’re talking to, but, always keep those lines of communication open so they will talk to you and know what is and isn’t appropriate to receive and send.
Parents need to ensure that if their child they know how to leave the group immediately and without viewing any content, a lot of people don’t know this but there is a button in the WhatsApp privacy settings where you can opt out of being added to groups without consent.“
If you need more information, help or support please visit this website from the NSPCC:
A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: “On Friday, March 22, we received a report of malicious communications linked to a group on a social media messaging app containing inappropriate content aimed at young people.
“Enquiries are ongoing and anyone with concerns should use the ‘Report’ page of our website or call 101.
“In an emergency, always call 999.”
We've approached WhatsApp for comment on this story.