Paedophiles and dealers on app for pupils
AN app available to every pupil in Scotland has been targeted by drug dealers and paedophiles, it emerged yesterday.
Social networking service Yammer allows pupils, teachers and anyone with access to a computer and password to connect with one another.
Threads on Yammer contained conversations in which drugs and alcohol were being offered to children, and included addresses where these could be bought.
One contained a user with a misspelling of the word paedophile in his username, asking young girls a location for a sleepover and offering illegal drugs.
Writing to another profile, the user said: ‘Come to mine. Drugs, alcohol and ice
‘I don’t think parents are adequately aware’
cream supplied.’ Some profiles were sharing graphic or violent content.
Though every schoolchild has been registered for the social networking tool, not all parents were aware their children were signed up or were asked permission for their information to be shared.
Yammer is a Microsoft app available under Glow – Scotland’s national ‘digital learning platform’ which can be used online on any smartphone or tablet.
A parent in Dundee called it ‘frightening’, adding: ‘I wonder how many parents are aware of what can be accessed by their children through Glow.
‘My child pointed out a post he thought was inappropriate, so I began to take a look myself and within just a few minutes could see posts referencing everything from discussion of drugs to paedophiles.
‘You can also see details of school children all over the country. I really don’t think parents are adequately aware of the amount of information available.
‘Schools and education authorities have a responsibility to treat the safety of our children with paramount importance. The use of this kind of software for young children is questionable at best.’
Access to Yammer was temporarily blocked over the weekend while Education Scotland carried out a review. In a statement, the organisation said: ‘Glow is an online learning resource.
‘The decision to use Yammer, and the moderation of the content subsequently produced, is for the local authority using Glow.
‘Decisions to give pupils access rest with the relevant education establishment and local authority. It would be for them to decide on seeking parental consent. Education Scotland provides reactive moderation of the Yammer site via the “report a concern” button.
‘After these concerns were raised, Education Scotland removed the images we were alerted to.
‘We will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that Glow continues to add value to learners and teachers.’