A school has issued social media advice after receiving reports of students being added to online group chats.

Brampton's William Howard School issued the new advice after receiving reports that children across the UK and in Cumbria were being added to 'large groups' on social media platforms such as Whatsapp. 

The groups could potentially contain 'upsetting or negative' content and in response the local secondary school has issued advice to parents and students urging them to stay safe online.

Writing on social media they said: "Here have been reports recently of children across the north of the country as well as in Cumbria being added to large groups on social media apps, such as WhatsApp.

"There are numerous risks to children and young people when using chat apps such as being added to group chats where they don’t know the other people in the group, and also the increased chance they will come across upsetting or negative messages.

"Check to see if your child is part of any group chats; Consider removing them immediately from unknown groups if they are a member; Consider reporting the group to the relevant social media platform if there is inappropriate content; and Notify the police if you come across any particularly serious or harmful content."