Kids from as many as four public elementary schools in Waterloo Region are the subjects of a police investigation into the creation and distribution of child pornography.
Waterloo Regional Police say received their first complaint on the matter last week.
Specifically, they were told that students were taking nude photos of themselves and sharing the photos on social media.
“Taking a photograph like this is creating pornography. They’re distributing it (and) possessing the images, thus committing criminal offences,” Staff Sgt. Mike Haffner told CTV News.
The students allegedly involved in this case are in Grade 7 and 8, police say – and the alleged criminal behaviour didn’t end once the photographs were posted.
“When certain individuals received these photographs … they would then cyberbully or just bully the individuals (in the pictures),” Haffner said.
A spokesperson for the school board declined to comment on the specific case, but said students are constantly educated about the dangers of such behaviour.
“Anytime when there’s this type of situation … we take that seriously,” said Peter Rubenschuh, an assistant superintendent.
Police say parents should keep a close eye on what their children are doing on social media.
