Online Safety - Message to all parents

Dear Parent/Guardian

We are joining the police and other schools in putting out an important parental warning about the app SimSimi.

This app can be used to anonymously cyber bully and the content it produces is extremely abusive and explicit in nature. Due to the detrimental effects of SimSimi, school and anti-bullying campaigners have managed to remove access to it in the Republic of Ireland. Until this is the case in Northern Ireland we ask that you ensure your daughter does not have this app on her phone.

We have shared this request during assembly today. We also reminded pupils that our mobile phone policy states that all phones are to be switched off during the school day, unless a teacher requests their use in the classroom. The policy states that mobile phones will be confiscated if students breach these parameters. We hope you can appreciate the need to enforce this policy in order to safeguard pupils.

Yours Sincerely

Mrs Wilson

Vice Principal