As the new academic school year begins today, TNN News raises a matter of utmost seriousness and urgency.
Parents need to be aware that their children may become victims of the reckless and malicious misuse of social media and emerging technologies by other students. This is not speculation this is happening now.
We spoke with a group of parents that shared with TNN News about a trend of behavior that has emerged in Bermuda. Over the summer, some students have became a direct target. For example, a private message sent was manipulated through an application and repurposed to suggest harmful intent. The falsified version was indistinguishable from there original words, and it was used against a few children. In addition, students are now altering voice recordings, AI generated making it appear as if children are saying things they never said, then sharing these doctored audios in large group chats.
Even more alarming, there are cases of children’s faces being placed on explicit and inappropriate images and circulated among peers. These actions cause severe psychological harm and lasting social damage.
The consequences are not hypothetical. Our children has been threatened because of these falsifications. Some parents are aware that their children participates in creating and or sharing these messages and yet have chosen not to intervene.
On an island as small as Bermuda, the impact is magnified. Vulnerable children, already facing limited social outlets, are being driven toward isolation, despair, and even self-harm.
This is not an isolated incident. There is a disturbing pattern where, following the death of teo student, certain groups exploit heightened emotions to falsely accuse others of speaking ill of the deceased. This has previously resulted in sustained bullying and even death threats at the same schools.
We have reported this to the police since early summer. Despite repeated follow-ups, We have not received no meaningful response or update.
We are therefore left to question:
Are we expected to send our children back to school without knowing whether the threats against them will be acted upon?
This situation is unacceptable and deeply dangerous. Parents must understand: any message their child sends could be twisted and weaponized against them at any time. The risks are real, the damage is severe, and the lack of action is alarming.
Immediate attention and decisive intervention are not only necessary they are critical to safeguarding our children.
The BPS confirms that a complaint was filed below is the response.
The Bermuda Police Service (BPS) can confirm that it has been made aware of this situation.
An investigation has commenced.
The BPS is urging anyone who may have been impacted, but has not reached out to us, to please do so by contacting Detective Inspector Kenten Trott of the Vulnerable Persons Unit on 717-2345 or, via email at Kenten.trott@bps.bm
TNN News awaits a response from the Ministry of Education, referring to these matters.
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