Mum shares her sons terrifying experience after joining a private snapchat group with a few mates.

NSW Mum of six, Amanda Parker, wants to warn other parents how easy it can be for kids to unknowingly get caught up in nude photo sharing.

Amanda told MoM, that her teenage son (who turns 16 next month) was added to a snap chat group. Which they later found out that to be added to a group is as simple as someone just adding you without notification or sending a request.

The group consisted of six or seven boys having a normal teenage conversation. Until that is, within a couple of days one of the boys shared a nude shot of a girl.

At this stage Amanda’s teenage son left the group. He was then re-added twice so he just turned off his notifications.

All good right? Wrong!

Four days later the group was full of photos of naked girls… one being an unknown girl from school. The group was leaked and the young girl found out and went to the School Principal.

All the people in the group were pulled into the office…..including Amanda’s son.

All phones were confiscated and the police called.

The principal called Amanda to fill her in and he told her that her son had not shared any images and phones were kept until police investigated.

Her son was cleared of any wrongdoing. However one of the boys was in a fair amount of trouble.

Amanda said she didn’t sleep that night, nor did her son.

One simple thing could have ruined his future.

Amanda said, “I guess the point of me sharing is to show people how easily social media can become a nightmare and also to remind our kids that naked selfies can come back to haunt you even years later.”

Read more from Amanda:

Mum shares why we all need to relax as a parent and make important memories with our kids instead.

Touching ode from daddy who saved daughter before losing his own life

While sharing suggestive images or text messages may seem like innocent flirting or be considered funny for young people, it can have serious social and legal consequences.

How can I support my child online?

It’s important to discuss the consequences of this behaviour with your children. If their image has been viewed by others they may be publicly bullied and have sexually inappropriate comments made about them by friends and strangers, including adults.

Office of the Children’s esafety commissioner recommends:
•talk to your children about the potential social, academic, employment and legal implications of posting inappropriate material of themselves or others online
•encourage them to think twice before they post sexualised photos and consider the fact that others might view what they post
•remind them to delete any sexual content they receive from others and avoid forwarding this type of content
•remind them to consider the feelings of others when taking photos and distributing any content by mobile phone or online
•seek professional support if you are worried that your child is vulnerable
•if you are concerned that an incident may be a criminal matter, contact your local police.

If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual assault or exploitation support is available at 1800 RESPECT and Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800.

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Read more:

• 70 Australian schools targeted by pornography ring
• RESEARCH: Sexting is the new “second base”
• Snapchat – the social network your kids probably use
  but don’t tell you about….
• MORE warnings after online predator targets young girl via popular app

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