Dear parents and carers,
This is a short message to make you aware that we have been supporting a number of families following harm and upset caused through messaging on group apps such as WhatsApp, Snap Chat and iPhone message groups.
Many classes have group chats for their class and your child may be included in these. There have been several instances of inappropriate content being posted and in some cases, older children and adults have been added into these group chats which has caused significant safeguarding concerns. These groups appear and disappear quite frequently and the messages will also disappear and be deleted which makes monitoring them challenging.
WhatsApp and Snap Chat should not be accessed by Primary School aged children. Please can I ask you to carefully regulate and monitor your child's use of group messaging, their conduct online and to encourage them to be open and honest about their experience online. I will be more than happy to speak to any parents or carers about how to keep your child safe online if you would like to contact me on 01271 863463.
Kind regards,
Mr Le Bredonchel
Head Teacher