‘Inappropriate and troubling material’: Brisbane Boys’ College embroiled in Snapchat scandal

Multiple students at a prestigious Brisbane boys’ school are being investigated over their involvement in a Snapchat group where explicit content was shared.

Multiple students at one of Brisbane’s most elite private schools are being investigated by police over their involvement in a Snapchat group where “potentially illegal” explicit content was shared.

Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) headmaster Andre Casson said the school – which has tuition fees of as much as $31,440-a-year – was contacted last week “by parents regarding a Snapchat group created and managed by students in year 10”.

“The college immediately commenced a fact-finding process looking into these concerns, during which we spoke with several students and their families,” Mr Casson wrote in the letter, which was obtained by The Courier-Mail.

Some of the content shared in the group, Mr Casson said, was allegedly serious and potentially illegal, prompting the school to “immediately” report the matter to police.

It’s understood content involving two nude children, who appear to be in their early teens, was among the “inappropriate and troubling material” posted in the group.

Police are investigating the involvement of Brisbane Boys’ College students in a Snapchat group where ‘potentially illegal’ explicit content was shared. Picture: Tara Croser

A Queensland Police spokesperson confirmed to news.com.au that detectives from the Inner West Child Protection Investigation Unit are looking into the matter, after receiving a report on May 22 in relation to “inappropriate images being shared on an online platform”.

“Anyone with information is urged to contact police.”

A BBC spokesperson told news.com.au: “The matter is subject to a police investigation and the College is unable to comment further.”

It’s understood the chat involved Year 10 students. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

BBC headmaster Andre Casson said the situation was ‘confronting’. Picture: David Clark

In his letter, Mr Casson described the situation as “confronting”, and assured parents that “appropriate action will be taken in accordance with BBC policies and values” once police complete their investigation.

“We want to assure you that our staff are ready to help any students and families who require it,” he wrote.

“Our heads of years, heads of house and college counsellors are available to provide support as needed. Should you have any further information on this investigation, we request that you report these matters directly to the police.”

One parent alleged to The Courier-Mail that “very graphic” images of a dead person and child pornography was shared in the group.

Though their son was not in the group chat himself, one of his friends was added and upon seeing the content that had been shared, immediately left it, the parent said.

‘This is not just a normal, other, ‘Oh, yeah, boys will be boys’.’ Picture: Facebook

“My understanding is that he saw the kind of level of child exploitation material that is illegal for anyone, not just like adult pornography,” the parent told the publication.

“How did these kids even get access to this material?
“In my mind, by the time you’re 15 or 16, you know how serious it is. That’s why the criminal age (of responsibility) is 14 … how have these kids got to the age of 15 and 16, and thought that that’s funny.”

Another parent told The Courier-Mail that BBC’s communications regarding the matter “did not allude to the gravity and depravity of what was in that chat”.

“This is not just a normal other, ‘Oh, yeah, boys will be boys (situation)’. It’s not that,” the parent said.

“Apparently, they were sending death threats to other kids perceived to be ‘snitches’ on the school’s internal communications system.”

Mr Casson said the parents of the boys who may have been involved in the chat had been informed.

Originally published as ‘Inappropriate and troubling material’: Brisbane Boys’ College embroiled in Snapchat scandal