Eton Bans Snapchat On Fears Of 'Sexting' Outbreak

Eton Bans Sexting

Eton College has been forced to ban its pupils from using Snapchat due to fears of a potential outbreak of 'sexting', it has been reported.

Snapchat - valued at more than $3 billion - is a picture sharing app in which messages (usually) self destruct after a pre-determined amount of time. While it is possible to save pictures covertly, the result is that users are usually more relaxed about sending potentially embarrassing images.

The elite public school announced it had banned access to the app over its wireless network after it was feared boys might use it inappropriately.

The social network is just latest menace to strike different schools around the UK to result in a ban. Other targets for school-wide bans at other institutions include triangular flapjacks (too violent) and helping pupils in wheelchairs (too dangerous).

Eton said it took the decision to make its boys "think twice" before they chat their snaps (or snap their chats).

"It is blocked from the Eton wireless internet system," headmaster Tony Little told the Sunday Telegraph.

"Boys can still use it via the 3G phone network, but we hope that blocking it on our network will, at least, make them think twice."

"This is part of our continuing effort to educate boys in the sensible use of technology."

Meanwhile a new study has suggested that more young people than ever might be sexting.

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