Pornographic image sent to schoolchildren
Outrage over Portlethen Academy e-mail
Published:
A PORNOGRAPHIC image was sent to pupils through their academy computer e-mail accounts.
Every user of the Portlethen Academy computer network was able to access the pornographic picture.
It is understood the image – which could be seen by teachers and youngsters aged from 11 – was distributed by a pupil thought to have smuggled it into Portlethen Academy.
Aberdeenshire Council has refused to say if anyone has been suspended in relation to the incident.
The local authority also refused to reveal how many pupils viewed the image before the problem was dealt with.
A spokeswoman said: “We can confirm there was an incident at Portlethen Academy in which a rogue e-mail was circulated around the school.”
A North-east MSP hit out at the incident and called for the council to put stronger security in place.
Alex Johnstone said: “I'm absolutely outraged that this has happened, but it is a symptom of the age we live in that these images are available and can be misused in this way.
“I'm aware that technology exists to filter these out and I would hope the council will look into the possibility of providing software to prevent this kind of thing happening in the future.”
And North Kincardine councillor Ian Mollison said the incident was “very concerning”.
He said he would be asking questions “to find out the facts of the situation”.
“We have to do our utmost to protect our children so that they have a childhood,” he added.
