'Cyber flashing': Busload of Wake County students receives graphic images over Bluetooth, AirDrop

One mom told WRAL News she wants something done to protect children from seeing those graphic images and students may already have a tool on their phones to stop it.

If you have a cellphone, you are used to getting unwanted calls and messages from complete strangers.

Now add "cyber flashing," a way strangers can send obscene or pornographic pictures right to your cellphone if your AirDrop or Bluetooth is on, to that mix.

"It is shocking to hear," said the mother, Sam, who spoke with WRAL News.

Leaving Bluetooth or AirDrop on allows the culprit to target many people at once while remaining anonymous.

Private investigator says phone thieves are becoming more tech-savvy

Sam said on Friday her child and other students at East Garner Middle School were headed home on the bus when someone sent animated porn to every cellphone with Bluetooth or AirDrop on.

“It was very graphic,” said Sam.

Sam doesn’t believe parents or the district are doing enough to address it. That’s why she is talking about it.

"To have the youth be AirDropped porn and accept it that is something we have not addressed," said Sam. “We have to be more equipped with having these convos with our kids [about] what is good phone etiquette.”

One way to protect your children is to tell kids to keep their Bluetooth and AirDrop off unless using them for a specific purpose.

WRAL News did reach out to Wake County Schools but has not heard back from the district.

It is unclear if the district has identified who sent the pictures.