Parents told to check phones for 'school war' posts

Parents are being advised by schools to check their children's phones in light of a social media trend they say is creating an "arbitrary rivalry" and encouraging violence between pupils.

Posts circulating on platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat have divided schools into "red" and "blue" categories, referencing a "Bristol War" for pupils in Years 7, 8, 9 and 10.

Avon and Somerset Police said it would be carrying out reassurance patrols around school starting and leaving hours as a "precaution" and added it was "monitoring the situation extremely closely".

The force said there was no evidence to suggest any incidents linked to the "national" social media trend had occurred in the city.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said that the "content is deeply concerning", and she understands TikTok chiefs are taking "action to review and address it".

"Encouraging violence by urging children to take knives to school is illegal. I expect platforms to abide by the letter of the law and where the content is illegal, they should take action to stop these abhorrent posts," she added.

Ch Insp Keith Smith, of Avon and Somerset Police, said he understood the posts would "cause concern to communities".

"We will have a heightened presence in several areas over the next few days which will include reassurance patrols at schools listed on the social media posts, and contingency plans will also be in place should we need them," he said.

A force spokesperson added they had been in contact with schools across Bristol to offer reassurance and crime prevention advice to staff and students.

Some schools leaders sent emails to parents offering advice about how to handle the situation.

They suggested parents tell their children not to share content related to the "organised violence" and encouraged the reporting of any concerns.

"We are concerned that, through online communications, some young people may be sharing images of weapons and encouraging serious youth violence," one letter to parents read.

"I would encourage you to take this opportunity to check your child's phone and more broadly, continue to manage and monitor their internet use.

"You may wish to initiate a conversation about the risks associated with carrying weapons and where you have a significant concern, check their bags for weapons that may be being carried for 'protection' or with intent to do harm.

"You may also wish to tell your child to avoid unnecessary travel through the city centre area this Friday," it continued.

Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, a union that represents head teachers, said he supports police and schools in the actions they are taking "to stop this latest trend turning into real-world violence".

"Barely a week goes by without something appalling happening on social media. This the latest example of the wild west environment on these platforms – in this case all too literally," he said.

Snapchat and Tiktok were contacted for comment on the "Bristol War" posts.

They declined to comment on the specific posts but said their community guidelines stated any content glorifying violence, containing threats or promoting crimes would be removed from their platforms.

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