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Original poster

School mum is posting sexualised photos of her 9yo on IG

66 replies

Fressia123 · 09/09/2020 20:33

My DD just confided in me that her friend is being forced by her mum to pose for IG. I've looked the account up and the photos are all very much sexualised. I can only think of the horrible things those photos have been used for and how they're online to never disappear. Is this a safeguarding issue? Should the school know? I've told my DD that she should encoury her friend to tell their teacher, that that's the only way something can be done about it. I'd be grateful for any further advice.

OP posts:
Mooey89 · 09/09/2020 20:35

Of course the school should be made aware. Or you could contact the nspcc

Itisbetter · 09/09/2020 20:35

You should phone the school and keep quiet about it beyond that.

ScottishStottie · 09/09/2020 20:36

Sexualized in what way? Ive seen plenty of first day of school posts were the child is pouting with hand on her hip, in a very 'adult' pose, but not really sexualised as its just poses that they have seen and are copying.

The fact that the child appears uncomfortable with it though is a concern.

Yaty · 09/09/2020 20:36

Personally I would be calling social services about this. Inform them of the account, what yojr daughter has told you and your concerns and they will assess whether it is a safeguarding issue and what needs to happen. It does sound concerning from your description and that it is clearly distressing your DDs friend.

Original poster
Fressia123 · 09/09/2020 20:37

She's in short shorts and crop tops with her hand in her mouth. There are a few of that sort.

OP posts:
Yaottie · 09/09/2020 20:38

I'm not sure you should put the responsibility of that on your DD or on the friend. It's not as if it can't be proven - you're the adult so you need to do something about it. Not tell your DD the only way something will be done is if her friend says something

ScrapThatThen · 09/09/2020 20:40

Just tell the school exactly what your daughter told you and that you have now seen these pictures. Tell them you are only telling them in case they deem it a safeguarding concern and that you will not speak about it to anyone else. They won't be able to inform you what they do with the information. This sounds very serious.

Lockdownseperation · 09/09/2020 20:41

Contact social services. If you google your local council and safe guarding then you will find the phone number.

christinarossetti19 · 09/09/2020 20:42

i would definitely speak to one of the SLT at the school.

You only need give them the instagram account address for them to decide whether to escalate it through safeguarding.

sunshineandshowers21 · 09/09/2020 20:43

i’ve noticed this kind of thing with a few of the mum’s from my son’s school. very over the top, grown up poses - often with full make up and crop tops. one of the mums sent her 8 year old to school in a really short skirt with thigh high socks that had bows on the back. then posted loads of pictures with her posing - with school logo visible - and posted on her public insta. it’s just mind boggling that people would post pictures of their children like this, especially when their social media is public.

SunbathingDragon · 09/09/2020 20:44

Speak to the safeguarding at school.

Original poster
Fressia123 · 09/09/2020 20:51

Yes it's not only the type of photo that worries me but the lack of consent.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fressia123 · 09/09/2020 20:53

According to my DD, said mum then tells her friend that she's done this for her, and that she can't just throw everything away because she's been doing it as a loving mum. So it sounds that's there's even some emotional blackmailing

OP posts:
Flackattack · 09/09/2020 20:58

Safeguarding issue - report to the school

JenniferSantoro · 09/09/2020 21:06

I would report this to children’s social care and also the Police. They will look into the family to see whether there are any other issues, whether anyone else has reported this etc. They will probably do a joint visit and examine the account and photos. The child will be spoken to alone to see what she says and it will be taken from there depending on what she says.

PeaceAndHarmoneeee · 09/09/2020 21:08

A mum at DC primary school was posting pictures like this to an IG page she had set up 'for her daughter'Confused One of the parents reported it to the school safeguarding officer- just gave the link to the IG and let them decide what to do.

IG account has now been closed down apparently 👍

wheresmyhairytoe · 09/09/2020 21:12

Ring school and ask to speak to the Safeguarding Lead.

YoBeaches · 09/09/2020 21:13

It's not a school issue, it's a police issue if a child is being forced to have sexualised photos taken as well as them being published.

capercaillie · 09/09/2020 21:14

Send the link to school and tell them what the child told your child. School will deal with social services etc if they deem it necessary. Also means they make keep an eye on things and build up evidence if they need to

gamerchick · 09/09/2020 21:14

@YoBeaches

It's not a school issue, it's a police issue if a child is being forced to have sexualised photos taken as well as them being published.
School safeguarding IME is the fastest way to get wheels going.
capercaillie · 09/09/2020 21:15

It is absolutely a school issue and they will get it dealt with a lot quicker. Anyone working in school has duty to report concern.

JaniceBattersby · 09/09/2020 21:16

If someone is genuinely posting sexualised images of their child on the internet then that is a police matter.

dicksplash · 09/09/2020 21:17

Absolutely contact the school. Its not a school issue directly but the designated safeguarding lead at the school has direct links to people who can help.

Branches1 · 09/09/2020 21:20

We had something similar happen in a WhatsApp group for parents in my daughter’s gym squad. One family has posted photos of their child stretching in her knickers. This is sometimes assisted stretching where a parent helps push the child’s legs in a stretch and so on. It’s just not an appropriate photo to share with anyone! Why would they do this!

HungryPies · 09/09/2020 21:29

I would contact the school, the local children's services and the local police safeguarding team.
It could be linked to, or lead to, other safeguarding issues and I would want to be sure that all relevant agencies are informed rather than assuming the school will do it.