Police have issued a warning after children as young as nine were added to WhatsApp groups promoting self-harm, sexual violence and racism.
Schools in Tyneside said that pupils in years 5 and 6 (ages 9 to 11) had been added to the groups, some of which had 900 members and contained sexual images and pictures of mutilated bodies, a BBC investigation found. Northumbria police has sent a warning to schools across its area.
On Thursday WhatsApp reduced its age limit from 16 to 13, a move criticised by MPs, campaign groups, teachers and academics.
The government is set to release a consultation this month about banning the sale of smartphones to under-16s and empowering parents more to control child access to social media.
The plans
