Nicola Sturgeon has pledged a “proper review” after The Courier revealed how a social networking tool was rolled out to Scottish schools despite concerns over its vulnerability to predators.
The First Minister described as a “serious issue” the fact Education Scotland bosses signed off on the service despite their own impact assessment warning it could be infiltrated by individuals looking to locate children and “do them harm”.
Ms Sturgeon was challenged on the issue at First Ministers Questions by Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart, who asked why warnings were “not listened to, who is responsible and how are we going to ensure individuals are accountable?”
Ms Sturgeon said she supported Education Scotland’s work to get to the bottom of what happened, adding : “In terms of the oversight of this and the review, Education Scotland is responsible.
“As I understand it, the levels of access to Glow and to Yammer are decided at a local authority level.
“But the site has been taken down and it’s right that action has been taken because we must act on a precautionary basis when the safety of children is concerned.”
The Yammer app allows school pupils and teachers across the country to contact and private message one another and it is understood educators had been urged to encourage use of the tool at home.
An investigation by The Courier revealed how children on the system had already been exposed to conversations about drugs and alcohol, graphic horror images and messages from an individual with paedophile in their username.
