Violence, porn and co.

WhatsApp group causes a stir at Tyrolean schools

Sometimes children are added to such groups without their knowledge (symbolic image).(Bild: serg - stock.adobe.com)

Violent scenes, pornography, cruelty to animals - all of this is currently being posted in a chat. Explosive: some pupils suddenly found themselves in this group without knowing about it. The police were called in.

There is currently a lot of excitement surrounding a WhatsApp group at several schools in the Tyrolean lowlands! Apparently, extremely questionable content - from scenes of violence and pornography to the most appalling cruelty to animals - is being posted regularly. Particularly problematic: some pupils were even added to the group without their knowledge.

Young people raised the alarm themselves
In one secondary school, the alarm bells rang among the young people themselves. They courageously and in an exemplary manner contacted teachers who, together with the school management, finally informed the police about the extracurricular group.

The instant messaging service WhatsApp was founded in 2009.(Bild: DADO RUVIC)

"This can have legal consequences"
At a school in Zillertal, where the same WhatsApp group or at least a similar one apparently caused a stir, parents and guardians were also informed that both the possession and distribution of pornographic and National Socialist content have legal consequences. The letter, which is available to the "Krone", also points out the following aspect: "As WhatsApp may only be used from the age of 16, parents are liable for their children at an earlier age."

However, the children were made aware of the problem by the police officers.

Die Direktion einer betroffenen Schule

"Material that is not intended for children"
Fortunately, it doesn't come to that, at least at the gym (for now). "It turned out that - apart from a sticker - there is no criminally relevant content in the group, but there is material that is definitely not intended for children," parents were informed by the principal in a statement. For this reason, none of the 30 or so young people involved in this school had to have their cell phones confiscated. "However, the children were made aware of the problem by the police officers and were shown - very drastically - the personal and also criminal consequences," said the headmaster.

Principal is impressed by the students' actions
And perhaps all the excitement has a positive side and the pupils were confronted with a fruitful learning process through their encounter with the police. In any case, the principal is impressed by the responsibility with which his pupils approached the communication.