Young children asked to send explicit photos and receiving adult messages on Snapchat, police report

  • ITV Channel reporter Kate Prout looks into disturbing content being shared with young children on Snapchat

Children as young as seven are potentially being sent violent and explicit messages on the popular social media site Snapchat, Guernsey Police has revealed.

It is believed that more than 50 local children are thought to be part of a group where "harmful content" such as strong sexual language and images are being shared.

Some of the messages seen by ITV News include, "send me pics of your t*ts" and "I'll make you so miserable you won't want to be here".

Officials are concerned that children are being encouraged to send indecent pictures of themselves.

Snapchat has a minimum age limit of 13 but younger users are also active on the platform.

Police say an investigation into the group is ongoing and parents are being urged to speak with their children to check they are not a member.

Guernsey Police officer Laura Simpson specialises in digital safety and is currently running an education programme in schools that includes warnings about harmful sexual behaviours.

She said: "Snapchat is not suitable for children at all. The age restriction of 13+ clearly isn’t deterring families from allowing their children into this environment, and that is putting children at serious risk of sexual exploitation."

Guernsey Police officer Laura Simpson giving an online safety class to Year Five pupils at Castel Primary School. Credit: ITV News

A spokesperson for Snapchat said: "Snapchat is for over 13s and we are committed to ensuring our app is both safe and age-appropriate.

"If we find sexual or harmful content we remove it immediately and we work with police to support investigations.

"We also have extra protections in place for younger users, confidential in-app reporting tools so our community can tell us if they see inappropriate content and our Family Centre, which allows parents to see who their teens are talking to."

Affected by an issue raised in a story? Here's where you can get support

Police safety advice for Snapchat:

1) Use parental controls, including making sure your child cannot be added to a group without their consent.

2) Remove all children under the age of 13 from Snapchat. Use children’s real ages and dates of birth when signing up.

3) Regularly monitor what your child is receiving.

4) Report any harmful content to the app using www.reportharmfulcontent.com

5) Take screenshots of any harmful content.

6) Report to Guernsey Police on 01481 222222.

7) Useful websites for further support: