HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — School and law enforcement officials in a local county are investigating after nude pictures of middle school students started circulating.
Police have linked it back to photos initially sent over the popular photo messaging app Snapchat.
They are hoping that this case will serve as a warning for parents all over Georgia.
"It's really sad, I think, that parents really don't know what their kids are doing on social media,” parent Desiree Childs said.
The on-going investigation involves middle school students in Habersham County.
School officials say a girl at one of the schools sent a nude photo of herself to a male student.
On the Snapchat app, the photos are meant to disappear in a matter of seconds, but someone took a picture of the screen.
The image quickly spread by cell phone and soon after, investigators say other students started taking and sending inappropriate pictures of themselves.
"A lot of parents aren't on social media themselves so they don't know what their kids are up to. It's kind of like a free for all,” Childs said.
None of the pictures were taken on school property but investigators say they were viewed on at least one school bus.
No one from the school district wanted to speak on camera about the incident.
The superintendent told Channel 2 Action News off camera he's determined to keep the focus on education, and to communicate with parents and students about the dangers of social media.
The schools are holding special seminars for students and urging parents to monitor their kids' social media activity, something Childs says she's already doing with her children.
"When they are on, they're supervised, and I have their passwords and everything so they can't really get away with too much," Childs said.
"I don't think most kids my age realize the dangers, but she's always taught me don't send things with your name, address or pictures of yourselves," said Madison Childs, Desiree's daughter.
Possessing or sending child pornography is a felony, but so far no one is facing charges.
The Habersham County schools superintendent would not comment on any disciplinary action against the students involved.
WSBTV
