Police Scotland has taken the unusual step of issuing a direct public warning over a wave of damaging misinformation targeting a 12-year-old girl in Dundee.
The force confirmed it is investigating the origins of false and malicious rumours that have been spreading rapidly across social media platforms and private messaging apps. Authorities have stated unequivocally that the claims are entirely baseless.
'Significant distress and harm' is being caused to the young girl and her family, according to the police statement released on Thursday. The nature of the rumours, while not specified in detail, is understood to involve serious and unfounded allegations.
Appeal to the Public
In their appeal, Police Scotland's Tayside Division urged the public to act responsibly:
- Cease sharing any unverified information related to the child.
- Report the content to platform administrators to have it removed.
- Consider the real-world impact of sharing potentially harmful content online.
The police emphasised that spreading such information is not a victimless act and can have severe consequences for the mental wellbeing of those involved.
A Growing Concern
This incident highlights the increasing challenge authorities face with digital misinformation and its rapid proliferation within communities. The case underscores how quickly unverified claims can spiral, causing real harm to individuals before the truth can be established.
Police have not indicated if any criminal charges will be pursued but have stressed they are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness. The investigation remains ongoing as they work to identify the source of the false claims.
