A SCHOOL has advised parents to monitor social media for their children after a distressing video on app TikTok went viral.

Lower Darwen Primary School put out a post yesterday warning parents over a video on showing a man taking his own life.

The viral clip originated on Facebook over the weekend before being posted to other social media platforms such as Twitter and Instagram as well as TikTok where it appears under the ‘For You’ feed.

A post from the school read: “Good afternoon, we have been aware from various sources that there is an inappropriate and extremely upsetting video circulating on TIkTok.

“We know that many of our Upper Key Stage 2 children use this application so please be extra vigilant and ensure you check the videos your children are watching.”

The upsetting video has already been seen by many children on the app, who have reported feeling traumatised by the content.

TikTok have been removing any videos they have picked up on and banning all those accounts posting it.

A spokesman for the app said: “On Sunday night, clips of a suicide that had originally been livestreamed on Facebook circulated on other platforms, including TikTok,”

“Our systems, together with our moderation teams, have been detecting and removing these clips for violating our policies against content that displays, praises, glorifies, or promotes suicide.”

Social media sites have come under fire in the past for making it possible for videos on self-harming to be shown to young people.

Many creators on TikTok have taken it upon themselves to warn followers of the disturbing and graphic video surfacing the app, while users have also helped the app find the videos still on it.

Blackburn South and Lower Darwen ward councillor for Conservatives Jacqueline Slater expressed her distress at hearing of the graphic video online.

Cllr Slater said: “The parents should be monitoring the site for their children, who should not be able to watch it.

“It’s not a good thing for adults to even watch never mind a child. It is quite serious and not the teacher’s responsibility, but the parents’ responsibility."

“I heard about it last night from someone who contacted me, it’s very distressing.”

If you are struggling with your mental health, contact Samaritans on the phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org, in confidence.