Brisbane Boys’ College Snapchat scandal: Parents speak, old boys close ranks

As the tight old boys network closes ranks around Brisbane Boys’ College amid a Snapchat scandal, some current parents say they feel sorry for the students at the centre of it.

Prestigious Brisbane Boys’ College at Toowong

• Explained: BBC Snapchat scandal

As the tight old boys network closes ranks around Brisbane Boys’ College amid a Snapchat scandal, some current parents say they feel sorry for the students at the centre of it.

Several alumni of the prestigious Toowong school have refused to comment on the furore, with one telling The Courier-Mail, “BBC is a great school, always was and always will be.”

A current parent said children were naive in thinking social media wouldn’t come back to bite them.

“You’ve almost got to feel sorry for these kids … everything leaves a digital footprint,” the said.

Another parent said while the alleged actions of the students concerned could not be condoned, social media left all children wide open to posting “inappropriate stuff”.

The comments come after The Courier-Mail revealed students shared allegedly serious and potentially illegal nude content in a group chat, subsequently sparking a police investigation.

The disturbing act prompted BBC headmaster Andre Casson to confirm to parents on May 23 that the school had been contacted by parents concerned about inappropriate and troubling material being posted to a Snapchat group.

It is understood it involves two nude children who appear to be in their early teens. There are possibly images of younger children as detectives continue to investigate.

The school sent the letter to parents after The Courier-Mail made inquiries about the Snapchat group, thought to have up to 40 members all in Year 10.

A parent subsequently disclosed details of the content shared to the group chat, saying it included alleged child pornography and very graphic images of a dead person.

The parent also said BBC had become aware of the incident on May 16.

In his May 23 letter to parents, Mr Casson said the school had only been made aware of the incident earlier that week.

A police spokesman confirmed a report about the incident had not been made until May 22.

A BBC spokesman said the matter was subject to a police investigation and the college would not make further comment.

Originally published as Brisbane Boys’ College Snapchat scandal: Parents speak, old boys close ranks