Important Safeguarding Update – Online Scam Targeting Young People
In the interest of keeping our school community informed and helping families stay vigilant, we wanted to make you aware of a concerning online incident that was reported to us.
A student was recently targeted via TikTok direct messages in an attempted scam. The individual contacted the student using an account that appeared legitimate, as it was linked to the student’s friends and school community. After the request was accepted, the individual copied the student’s profile picture, created a fake account, and threatened to share an inappropriate image unless a payment was made.
Thankfully, the student did not engage or send any money, immediately blocked and deleted the account, and the matter has since been reported to the police, with a crime reference number issued.
We are sharing this information to highlight how sophisticated and distressing online scams can be, particularly where young people are targeted using social media platforms that appear familiar and trustworthy.
Please take a moment to:
- Talk to your child about online safety, including not accepting friend requests from unknown or suspicious accounts.
- Remind them never to send money, images, or personal information online under pressure or threat.
- Encourage them to tell a trusted adult immediately if they feel worried, scared, or unsure about something online.
- Ensure social media privacy settings are reviewed and kept secure.
If your child experiences or is aware of anything similar, please report it to the platform involved and to the police where appropriate, and inform your child's Head of Year, so we can offer support.
If you need further information, please use our Online Safety Hub. There is an upcoming parent/carer information session about online safety on 26th January 7-8pm, to join the session please click the link on the attached flyer.
Thank you for your continued cooperation in helping us keep our students safe.
Kind regards,
Karen Harding
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Please click on the link here to join
