Glossop SNT - Cyber Alert/Concern

Local schools have been made aware of a large and very active Whats App Group called ‘Add every person in your contacts except grown ups’ 

This has allegedly been circulating since 8th July - it is believed that the group involves hundreds of children from the local areas, and possibly including pupils from local primary schools.

The content being shared in this group is largely inapproriate and could include

• GIF's and memes of a graphic sexual nature
• Anti-Semetic material and other offensive themes
• Numerous selfies and peronal images.

At present there does not appear to be any explicit phtos or videos of young people, but we are particularly concerned about the potential numbers of children who may be involved and the possible sharing of personal images.

We would like to ncourage parents and carers to :

• Check your child's phone and social media apps to see if they are part of this or any similar groups.
• Have a conversation with your child about the risks of joining large group chats with unknown people
• Remind them about appropriate on-line behaviour and the importance of any inappropriate content.

More info and how its done 

Adding everyone to a WhatsApp group, often referred to as an "Add Everyone" group, is generally not safe and can expose users to various risks. These groups can easily become filled with inappropriate content, and because it's difficult to control who joins, strangers could gain access to sensitive information or be exposed to harmful material. 

Cyber safety in Derbyshire encompasses various initiatives and resources to protect individuals and organizations from online threats. These include reporting cybercrime, accessing support services, and learning about online safety best practices. Key organizations involved are Derbyshire Constabulary, Safer Derbyshire, and various local councils and schools. 

Reporting Cybercrime:

• Action Fraud:

For reporting fraud and cybercrime, including phishing and scams, contact Action Fraud at www.actionfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040. 

• Derbyshire Police:

For reporting online harassment, stalking, or grooming concerns, contact Derbyshire Police at 101. 

• Report Harmful Content:

Use the report tool within social media platforms to report offensive or abusive behavior. 

• Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP):

If you are concerned about child exploitation or grooming, report it to the police and Children's Services via Call Derbyshire. 

• Internet Watch Foundation (IWF):

For reporting child sexual abuse content online, including images and videos, contact the IWF. 

Cyber Safety Advice and Resources:

• Derbyshire Constabulary:

Offers resources and advice on online safety for individuals and businesses, including information on scams and cybercrime prevention. 

• Safer Derbyshire:

Provides information and resources on cyber safety, including the Online Safety Act 2023 and reporting mechanisms. 

• Get Safe Online:

A national campaign providing information and advice on staying safe online for individuals and businesses. 

• NSPCC:

Offers online safety resources and advice for parents and children. 

• Rural Action Derbyshire:

Provides digital and online safety support for rural communities. 

• Internet Matters:

Offers resources on age-related online safety advice and controls on different devices. 

#WhatsApp

#GroupChats

#OnLineSafety

#MakingDerbyshireSaferTogether