Police and schools across Teesside have issued a warning to parents about a 'concerning' WhatsApp group that is circulating that children and teenagers might have been added to. 

Issuing the message on Monday (November 11), schools across the region said that at least 900 children had been added to the social media group, but this wasn't clear if all of them were from Teesside or other parts of the UK too. 

In a message to parents, which has been seen by The Northern Echo, the schools say they are warning parents to check their children's phone activity and have warned about the WhatsApp group and its content. 

The message reads: "We have received a notification from Cleveland Police regarding a concerning WhatsApp group that is circulating among Year 7 students in the area.

"A parent has informed the authorities that the group, which has over 900 children added, is encouraging participants to keep adding more people.

"The messages shared within the group have been reported as alarming, containing pornographic material, threatening behaviour, and even messages urging children to harm themselves.

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"The group is identified as "Y7 (any school so keep adding)."

Continuing their message, the schools added in its message to parents: "We urge parents and carers to remain vigilant about the dangers of social media.

"If you need any support or further assistance, please contact the school, and we will direct you to a member of staff who can help."

Cleveland Police issued a separate statement on Tuesday (November 12), which reads: "We are aware of recent concerns online about a message and warning purportedly from Cleveland Police about a WhatsApp group called “Y7”.

"We confirm this did not originate from the force; our Cybercrime experts have not issued any recent warning about this, however, we would remind everyone that these groups do circulate from time to time.

"We would also take this opportunity to remind members of the public that they can stop receiving messages, calls and status updates from WhatsApp groups using the settings – Account> Privacy> Groups 

"We would urge parents and carers to be vigilant around their young people’s devices:

"Speak to your child about staying safe online.

"Remind them not to allow themselves to be automatically added to any group, and not to respond to unsolicited invitations to join groups.

"Check their phone use wherever possible."