An alleged social media trend that encourages school children to target each other has prompted teachers to advise students to “remain in groups” after classes.
The so-called ‘School Wars’ trend, shared online, involves pupils from different schools attacking one another and earning points as a reward, reports The Mirror.
YorkshireLive reports that the challenge first appeared on social media in London, raising concerns over viral “red vs blue school wars” posts. Schools across the city closed early to prevent conflicts between students, reports The Mirror.
A Rotherham school has now issued a warning to parents after being named as a potential target in the trend. In a letter, Wickersley School and Sports College said: “We have been made aware of a social media trend that has been shared across the country,” reports The Mirror.
“There is a trend called ‘School Wars’ where the perceived aim is to attack pupils from other schools. The social media post talks about it happening on the way to school or on the way home, identified by a child’s uniform and points are awarded for attacking pupils from other schools with items such as scissors, compasses and rulers, as well as points awarded for physical assaults such as punches and slaps,” reports The Mirror.
“While we do not wish to alarm you about this, we have been informed that this is being set up in Rotherham, with Wickersley being one of the schools named as a target for other school pupils. We will be discussing this with our pupils today, reminding them of the need to remain in groups or pairs when walking home and going into safe spaces such as shops if they feel worried or threatened at any point,” reports The Mirror.
“At present, this is a social media rumour. We are unsure of the likelihood of this happening,” reports The Mirror.
“We would appreciate you talking to your child about this when they return home this evening, as although we do not want to worry them, or you, their safety at all times is paramount for us as a school,” reports The Mirror.
BBC News reported that secondary school students in Essex had been told not to wear their blazers while travelling home to avoid revealing their school, reports The Mirror.
South Yorkshire Police have been contacted for further information, reports The Mirror.
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