Police in Derbyshire are investigating an alarming online safety incident after hundreds of schoolchildren were added to a mystery WhatsApp group circulating explicit content. The group, titled “Add Everyone You Know”, reportedly included more than 450 members and encouraged young users to invite friends without understanding who was already inside the chat.
Parents raise alarm after explicit images shared in group
A parent from Swadlincote told the BBC that her son, who had recently completed Year 6 at Belmont Primary School, was added to the group during the summer holidays. Soon after joining, he showed her semi-naked selfies from unknown adult men, along with requests asking children their ages and which school they attended.
“He basically came downstairs and told me there were loads of pervy men that had been added to the chat,” she said. “They were trying to video chat with him. That was the main worry to me – that they were able to see my son.”
The mother immediately removed him from the group and reminded him not to respond to unknown contacts. He and his friends, who now attend secondary school, have since created a smaller private chat to keep in touch safely.
Police warn of growing risks to children online
In a public statement, Derbyshire Police confirmed they were investigating the group and its creators. Officers expressed concern that “many children and teenagers have been added” and that some of the content circulating in the chat was explicit.
“We are working to understand more about the group and identify those involved,” the force said. Parents and carers were urged to check the privacy settings on children’s devices, particularly on WhatsApp, where default settings allow anyone to add a phone number to a group without permission.
Police advised families to block, delete and report any suspicious groups to WhatsApp immediately.
The force also outlined how rapid group-joining features can easily be misused by offenders to access children, reinforcing the need for enhanced supervision and regular digital check-ins at home.
Local school issues warning to parents
Three Trees Academy, a primary school in Swadlincote, issued its own alert to parents after being made aware of the situation. The school said it had no evidence of its pupils being added but emphasised the importance of vigilance.
“The group has over 450 members and amongst these seem to be some members that nobody really knows,” the school said. “They have sent inappropriate images and have been asking children about their ages and which school they attend.”
Belmont Primary School, where several affected children had previously studied, stated it continued to prioritise online safety education through workshops and parental engagement programmes.
WhatsApp responds with safety reminders
A spokesperson for WhatsApp explained that the platform provides users with tools to restrict who can add them to groups. “We give everyone the option to allow only contacts to add them,” the spokesperson said.
The app also displays prompts when users receive messages from unknown numbers, offering options to exit, block or report.
However, digital safety advocates point out that many parents and children are unaware of these settings, leaving young users vulnerable to unwanted contact.
NSPCC stresses need for stronger parental oversight
Rosie Ellis, local campaigns officer for the NSPCC, said the incident was an important reminder of the complex risks children face online. “The online world can bring many benefits to young people, but also can be a challenging space,” she said.
She emphasised the need for:
- regular conversations between parents and children about apps and games,
- strengthened privacy controls,
- age-appropriate supervision,
- and open communication about anything uncomfortable a child may see online.
Child protection experts say group messaging platforms are increasingly exploited by offenders who rely on rapid-invite features to reach minors. The NSPCC continues to call for stronger protections and more robust parental education.
A reminder for families everywhere
Incidents such as this, though reported in Derbyshire, reflect challenges faced by families globally, including in India. Large messaging groups, anonymous contacts and open-invite links can expose children to harmful content within minutes.
Digital safety specialists emphasise that small steps—checking app settings, disabling open group invites, and maintaining open communication—can significantly reduce risk.