RIPLEY Valley State Secondary College is the latest local school to address an online safety issue after a group of Year 7 students were caught participating in an inappropriate social media group chat.
In an email to parents, the school confirmed that some of the messages exchanged on Snapchat were “inappropriate in nature”, prompting staff to act and remind students about responsible online behaviour.
“All Year 7 students have since been encouraged to remove themselves from similar group chats on social media,” the email stated.
The school also warned parents about the risks associated with Snapchat, a platform where messages disappear after a short period.
While this feature may seem harmless, the school noted that it can encourage risky behaviour and inappropriate content sharing.
“These behaviours not only violate school policy but can also lead to emotional and social challenges for students,” the email said.
“Students found sharing inappropriate, illegal, or offensive content may face consequences from the school.”
A Department of Education spokesperson emphasised the importance of online safety.
“The behaviour expectations of students extend to the online environment, and schools work with students about the appropriate use of technology and to build their understanding of the impacts of inappropriate behaviours online,” the spokesperson said.
“As soon as the school became aware of this issue, immediate action was taken to address the inappropriate online behaviour.
“The department is unable to provide further details for privacy reasons.”
This incident is part of a wider trend in Ipswich schools.
Local news outlets have reported at least three other incidents of inappropriate online behaviour, including one at a primary school and two at secondary schools.
The Department of Education said it had a dedicated team to help schools prevent and respond to negative or harmful online behaviour.
State schools also hold sessions for students and parents on cyber safety.
The department encourages students and families to report any inappropriate behaviour, including online behaviour, to their school.
