Parents warned over explicit WhatsApp group

Parents in Worcestershire are being urged to check their children's phones after a WhatsApp group containing "potentially illegal sexual content" was found to be circulating among young people.

South Bromsgrove High School wrote to parents and carers last Friday, warning pupils had been added to the group without their knowledge or consent.

The email, seen by the BBC, said teachers had been alerted to the "serious safeguarding concern" by Worcestershire County Council and West Mercia Police.

Meta, which owns the platform, said it was important parents and teenagers knew they could change their settings to protect against unwanted messages.

"The sharing of this material presents a significant risk to the safety and wellbeing of children," the email read.

"This incident serves as an important reminder for all families to regularly monitor their young person's use of smartphones, social media and messaging apps and to maintain open conversations about staying safe online."

The school did not respond when asked for further comment.

West Mercia Police said it had not received any reports about the group but was aware of it and working with partner agencies.

"If a child has been added to a group containing inappropriate or illegal content, they should not share, forward or save any images or videos," the force said.

"Instead, they should leave the group, report it to the platform and tell a trusted adult as soon as possible.

"Anyone concerned that a child has been exposed to illegal content or may be at risk of harm should report it to police."

A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said it had received information about a safeguarding concern involving young people being added to inappropriate WhatsApp groups.

"It is important that parents and carers have the information they need to understand the risks and have open conversations with their children about staying safe online," the spokesperson said.

"The key message is to reassure young people that they have done the right thing by speaking to a trusted adult if they are concerned.

"Parents and carers should also ensure they know how to check and update their child's privacy settings, and how to report inappropriate content through social media and messaging platforms."

A WhatsApp spokesperson said: "We give everyone on WhatsApp options to control who can add them to groups, so no one outside of your contacts can add you, if you don't want.

"The first time you receive a message from an unknown number and when you're added to a group, we give you more context and the option to exit or block and report."

It is not the first time the alarm has been raised about WhatsApp groups, with similar warnings issued in places like Clacton, Gloucester and Derby.

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