Racism on social media argument

[rubypearl]

So my 12 year old daughter 'pranked' a boy on Instagram message. It was a silly prank and she knows she was daft to do it. After 5 mins of banter with the boy he invited other people to the conversation. A few of the other girls on the group chat have verbally racially abused her. She is mixed race and they have called her - excuse the language - a 'Paki' a f-ing immigrant, that she has a poo stained face and looks like a monkey.
I got involved and told them their behaviour was completely unacceptable. I was told to F off.
My question is ... would you take this further?
I don't want to judge or sound snobby but I know one of the girls comes from a very rough home, I already know her mum wouldn't care.
I don't want my daughter to in any way feel that this is ok. Not sure what to do : (

[pepperpot99]

What a nasty situation. What was the prank? And do you know all the parents?

[rubypearl]

The prank was to say my daughter would tell the boy a secret, but there was no secret. One of the girls I don't know at all, the other comes from a very chaotic home. I am not close to her mum.
I did try to 'speak' to everyone involved on Instagram but they just said my daughter was no angel and yes they had been racist. I have the screen shots of all the conversations. I was calm with them and said they should be disappointed in themselves and that I was thinking of informing their schools, or parents, or even get advice from the police. I was told to F off!

[NKFell]

I would definitely tell the school, parents and police!

[audreyharley]

That's awful. There's no excuse for racism, especially to that degree. I would contact the school and their parents and the police, it really is that serious. Goodluck.

[KickAssAngel]

how old are they?

but yes, they have broken the law.

Up to you to decide whether you'll just make it very clear that they have done that, or if you just go straight to the police. I wouldn't bother with parents or school - it's out of school time so not much school can do. You don't think parents would be bothered.

Also - I don't know how instagram works - can accounts be shut down for this behavior?

[rubypearl]

Thank you for your responses.

My daughter is still upset by it but am still at a lose as to what to do.

I don't want to make things worse for her and to be honest I don't think reporting them would make any difference. They are just really ignorant - must be to say such things in the first place.

They have been blocked on Instagram and they did not go to the same school as my daughter. I am thinking it is best left - though we have the screen shots of the 'conversation' and if anything else happened if would be reported. Am I letting them of too easily? They are 12 and both girls from really bad backgrounds - pitiful really and I have made it clear to my daughter that it is unacceptable but sometimes making the idiots listen is a waste of time.

[BratFarrarsPony]

I would agree with you and just leave it if they do not attend the same school.
Those saying 'contact parents' have no idea what some parents can be like.
As for 'contact police' well OP and her daughter have to live in that area. Think about how things could escalate.

[fakenamefornow]

I think I agree with last poster, so difficult to know what to do for the best though. What does your daughter want to do about it? Definitely keep the screenshot whatever you decide.

[rubypearl]

Thank you - yes will be keeping the screen shots.

My daughter wants them to be told off but I don't think she really understands that it could escalate badly for her. The girls do have friends at her school and though no one else has mentioned it or got involved I worry they may and make it a lot worse for her.

Sometimes you maybe have to be more brave to just ignore the ignorant?

[rubypearl]

So an update - today my daughter went into town with a friend and two of the girls involved, an SIXTEEN others followed her around town, in and out of 4 shops and taunting her to fight them!
Of course she didn't - and in the end the last shop she was on went and told them they would call the police if they didn't move.
She got straight into a taxi (I was at the zoo with my little boy) and we have the police coming tomorrow to formally open the incident as a case.
I can't understand what is wrong with some people's kids !!!!

[fakenamefornow]

Oh, that's awful op, your poor daughter. I hope the police are helpful. So glad she had a friend with her, was it a friend from school with her?

[rubypearl]

Hi fakenamefornow - yes she was with a friend from school - though the other kids were from another school.
The police were brilliant - went into the school and took away the main kids mobiles. 30 mins later the kids were taken to a room with 2 police officers and their parents - I think the fear of God was put in them sufficiently to hopefully mean they won't do this again. And they have been told if they approach my daughter they will get criminal procedings against them.
Hopefully this is the end of it - my only concern was bat the police didn't think they used the terms maliciously - I doubt this but have the outcome I wanted : )

[sonlypuppyfat]

My DD was called the N word at school last week, my white blond haired DD I really didn't know how to deal with it

[fakenamefornow]

I'm glad the police were good, I hope things do work out. Good news that the girls persecuting her don't go to her school (did I read that right?) so school is hopefully a safe place for her. //flowers for your daughter. It might be hard to believe at the moment, but most people in the world are lovely, don't ever forget that no matter how difficult things get. :)