22 Jul 2016
Coffs/Clarence Police have issued a warning to young people and their parents in relation to the dangers of social media.
In recent weeks at least 2 local teenage girls have been contacted via their social media accounts by strangers. On each occasion the stranger has pretended to be a police officer and has subsequently demanded the young person supply inappropriate photos of themselves via the social media platform. The stranger has on both occasions attempted to threaten and intimidate the young person when the demands weren't immediately met.
Police wish to reiterate that we don't contact anyone, particularly young people, via any social media program or platform. Parents are asked to discuss this with their children, monitor their children's use of social media and reinforce the potential dangers of communicating with strangers in this manner. It goes without saying that personal photos of this type should never be sent to any person, let alone a stranger, regardless of the circumstances. Social media approaches such as these should be reported immediately.