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Vile text

488 replies

JustWondering222 · 01/12/2024 10:47

My 10yr old received a horrendous text last night (honestly I've never seen anything like it. So many swear words, telling him to kill himself 😧 telling him to suck pussy, telling him everyone hates him (the f word was used quite a few times as were other foul swear words.. basically every other word was a swear word and the general message was to go kill yourself because you r the worst of the worst) from someone that's normally a good friend. I was really shocked because my DC is quite innocent and didn't even understand half the message or half the words used.

I sent the mum a screenshot so she can ask her child about it and have talked to my DC about it and he feels ok. I praised him for showing me the text. He knows I've texted the mum so is worried he'll get called a snitch, but otherwise he's fine. I've reassured him he did the right thing. He's quite popular at school and has never been bullied or received anything like this before. The two boys are normally good friends and have a lovely friendship group. They've known each other several years, had playdates etc..

My question is, is it enough just to raise this with the boys mum, or would you also mention something to school? (I'm just quite shocked at the language and venom coming out of a 10yr old. I'm a bit worried about the boy to be honest.. Also a bit worried because another child might get v upset by this kind of message. My son has another friend that is very vulnerable and has sen and the boy that sent the message previously had a falling out with this child. If he sent such a text to this boy, or another like him, it would likely quite severely impact them.)

OP posts:
MildredSauce · 01/12/2024 11:26

Makelikeatreeandleaf · 01/12/2024 11:21

Let school know tomorrow. I'm a primary DSL - this is literally my job for the first hour or so of every Monday (and often other mornings) - sorting out phone issues from the weekend, speaking to children and contacting parents. I used to do things like run intervention groups, support individual children, meet with parents etc but now that time is sorting out issues on WhatsApp, tiktok or Snapchat.

Grown kids here and no intention of derailing the op's post but FFS this is shocking.

Makelikeatreeandleaf · 01/12/2024 11:21

Let school know tomorrow. I'm a primary DSL - this is literally my job for the first hour or so of every Monday (and often other mornings) - sorting out phone issues from the weekend, speaking to children and contacting parents. I used to do things like run intervention groups, support individual children, meet with parents etc but now that time is sorting out issues on WhatsApp, tiktok or Snapchat.

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 01/12/2024 11:21

My DD had a phone from year 6, because she started to walk to and from school.

Although WhatsApp is 13+ you’ve got exercise common sense and discretion. You can put a WhatsApp account on another device so you can monitor it even when their phone isn’t even in your hand. You can also see when they’ve read a message. Nothing wrong at all with having WhatsApp, this other child could have sent it just as easily via text message.

As distressing as these things are, they are also sadly part of real life. It doesn’t do well to shield kids from it. Taking it as an opportunity for learning for everyone.

EmotionalSupportPotato · 01/12/2024 11:18

Curtainqueen · 01/12/2024 11:14

These one's parents know they are on it though.

Yup. Their parents lie thinking they know better.

Curtainqueen · 01/12/2024 11:18

OP, you seem to be avoiding this point so I'll post the terms of use from WhatsApp themselves. 10 years old does not meet the minimum age requirement.

When you join WhatsApp, you must meet the minimum age of use requirements. We encourage you to review these guidelines on how to use WhatsApp responsibly.
You must be at least 13 years old (or such greater age required in your country) to register for and use WhatsApp.

EvilsElsasPetSnowman · 01/12/2024 11:17

100% tell school. If they aren’t aware of dynamics they can’t keep an eye on your son around this child.

I had a similar situation in year 6 with DD OP, and I was gobsmacked. Shes now in year 7 and this kind of texting if rife especially in groups, so I advise you think now about boundaries for secondary school and communicate that to your son

JustWondering222 · 01/12/2024 11:16

Enoughofthisnow · 01/12/2024 11:15

This. Tell your son to blame you 100% for any fallout from this hut it has to be reported. I knew of similar and the child who sent the messages was experiencing abuse, which was stopped and the child protected. No fallout occurred, all were grateful.

thanks

OP posts:
Enoughofthisnow · 01/12/2024 11:15

InSpainTheRain · 01/12/2024 11:12

Not your original question, but your son can say "My mum checks my phone and found it", so he's not a snitch. I'd also tell the school.

This. Tell your son to blame you 100% for any fallout from this hut it has to be reported. I knew of similar and the child who sent the messages was experiencing abuse, which was stopped and the child protected. No fallout occurred, all were grateful.

PromoJoJo · 01/12/2024 11:15

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at the poster's request.

Curtainqueen · 01/12/2024 11:14

EmotionalSupportPotato · 01/12/2024 11:13

They aren't but they lie.

These one's parents know they are on it though.

JustWondering222 · 01/12/2024 11:14

InSpainTheRain · 01/12/2024 11:12

Not your original question, but your son can say "My mum checks my phone and found it", so he's not a snitch. I'd also tell the school.

Thanks!

OP posts:
EmotionalSupportPotato · 01/12/2024 11:13

Curtainqueen · 01/12/2024 11:12

I thought they weren't allowed on WhatsApp until 13 anyway? This is why children need protecting from social media.

Edited

They aren't but they lie.

GinForBreakfast · 01/12/2024 11:13

This is why 10 year olds shouldn't give their phone numbers to each other. I'm not a huge fan of such young children having phones at all but if you absolutely feel they have to then don't let them message their friends without supervision.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 01/12/2024 11:13

Curtainqueen · 01/12/2024 11:12

I thought they weren't allowed on WhatsApp until 13 anyway? This is why children need protecting from social media.

Edited

Correct

Curtainqueen · 01/12/2024 11:12

Comtesse · 01/12/2024 11:11

No 10 year old needs access to Whatsapp, sorry.

I thought they weren't allowed on WhatsApp until 13 anyway? This is why children need protecting from social media.

InSpainTheRain · 01/12/2024 11:12

Not your original question, but your son can say "My mum checks my phone and found it", so he's not a snitch. I'd also tell the school.

Comtesse · 01/12/2024 11:11

No 10 year old needs access to Whatsapp, sorry.

EmotionalSupportPotato · 01/12/2024 11:11

JustWondering222 · 01/12/2024 11:02

Thanks. We'll give it quite a bit of thought. I don't really know why I should/shouldn't tell school. I suppose I'm a bit worried about how/why/where the heck this boy heard this language and what what was going on at home to lead to him send this text. Also wondering if school might want to do a general phone safety chat with the yr 6 group and what is / is not ok to text? Not sure really!

The parents should be telling their kids what is and isn't OK to post. Why any child thinks it's OK to send abusive messages to someone else is beyond me.

Seashor · 01/12/2024 11:10

We would want to know at school and it would be logged.
I would wait for the response but I would let mum know in no uncertain terms that if their child does it again or if there are any repercussions from their son then you will be taking it further and by that you mean the police.

EmotionalSupportPotato · 01/12/2024 11:10

Tell the school and remove WhatsApp. It's not safe

Pussycat22 · 01/12/2024 11:08

Well, he's learning it from somewhere.

Itsallgoingtopot · 01/12/2024 11:07

As a teacher, definitely tell the school.

As an out of school issue they may not act on it but it is always worth them knowing what’s going on so they can keep an extra eye on things.

Pancakeflipper · 01/12/2024 11:03

Please inform school. Safeguarding team need to know.
Other children might be getting similar texts. Other stuff might be going on.

Butteredtoast55 · 01/12/2024 11:02

You do need to tell the school, not least because there could be safeguarding implications and certainly it's possible there will be fallout in school. Forewarned is forearmed so the school can handle things from a more informed perspective if they are aware there's been an issue outside of school.

Nap1983 · 01/12/2024 11:02

Id await the mums response see what she says. Id probably tell her if any more texts or anything being said about your son “telling” and ill show school or police.