Dear Parents

We would like to highlight our concerns to all pupils and families about the inappropriate use of social media and online platforms out with school hours on their personal or family devices.

 The problems which pupils and families are highlighting are:

• The use of private or direct messaging to send abusive, threatening and intimidating messages

• Sending photos and or videos, copied from other social media accounts, to cause humiliation and distress

• Sharing of gossip and misinformation

As these problems occur out with the school day, there are limits to what we can realistically be expected to deal with, so your support is invaluable therefore we ask that you closely monitor your children while they are using all of their mobile devices, tablets and consoles. Please bear in mind that all social media and messaging apps have a minimum user age, none of which are below 13 years old, so primary school aged children should not be using them. Typically used platforms for negative behaviours are Snapchat, TikTok, Fortnite etc.

If you have any concerns about your child’s online activity, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) website contains useful information: www.ceop.police.uk

Thank you in advance for your continued support.