Barrington Police warning parents about internet after sexting incidents

Police are telling parents with children at Barrington Middle School to speak with their kids about the dangers of the internet after girls were found sharing inappropriate pictures online.

According to police, this started when a 13 year-old girl broke up with her online boyfriend from Iowa.

That boy then sent a nude picture of himself and the girl shared the image with friends.

After investigating, police now believe as many as six girls between 11 and 13 years-old were sharing inappropriate pictures of themselves on the internet, and police sent a letter home to parents not describing the incidents, but just a warning to talk to their children about the dangers of the internet and cell phone use.

“Unfortunately, the internet continues to be a safe haven for predators and we as a community must do everything we can to protect and educate our children about these risks,” said Ofc. David Wyrostek, the SRO at Barrington Middle School in a letter to parents. 

Parents like Maryam Lewis, who has two sons at Barrington Middle School is upset by the news.

“This is really surprising to me I had no idea. Usually, we get like 60 emails from the school and everything so I didn’t know,” she said. “Kids nowadays. They do crazy stuff and if parents don’t talk to their kids this is what happens.”

But Lewis also believes with the police getting involved there’s not a lot they can do. She believes some lessons kids need to learn on their own.

“I don’t know. I don’t know how much good it’s going to do. Kids are going to do what they’re going to do,” she said. “I don’t know what the solution is.”

Others like Melissa Reuss, who has a granddaughter in middle school is upset by the incidents.

“A lot of kids don’t want to see that. So I don’t think it’s just kidding around. I think it’s offensive,” Reuss said. “Sometimes it’s hard to watch your kid and there’s a lot of information on phones.”

In an email, Barrington Superintendent Michael Messore said the incidents happened outside of school, and once the principal became aware, the district notified police.

“Dr. Anderson, the principal, will be working with the BMS PTO to have an information night for parents on the topic of social media, cell phone use and internet safety,” Messore said. “Dr. Anderson along with our SRO will be addressing the student population during the grade level Town Hall meeting on the same topics.”

Messore said that the health curriculum in the school also addresses the dangers and warning signs of social media, and is taught with the school resource officer.