An angry Edinburgh mum has spoken out against the behaviour of a group of teens at White Park in the Gorgie area.
Katy Barnes was at the park with her six-year-old son as he was feeling a little bit emotional and felt the park would be the perfect place to blow off some steam.
But when he climbed on top of the climbing frame, a pair of teenagers began to shake the frame whilst swearing profusely and using sexual language.
Katy left the park with her son after being shocked at the behaviour and conduct of the group.
She hopes that by sharing her experience will raise awareness around antisocial behaviour and encourage parents to speak with their teenagers about acting respectfully around younger children.
Speaking about the ordeal, she said: “I was walking home with my six year old son and he was feeling a bit emotional, and when we got to the White Park he asked if he could go in and I agreed hoping that it would cheer him up.
"The park was really quiet apart from one or two other families and a group of four teenagers sitting at one of the benches.
“As soon as my son got on the climbing frame he wasn't given any time to enjoy it before two of the teenagers got up and joined him on it. I could just tell by my son's face that he felt uncomfortable and intimidated.
“The teenagers then started bouncing the climbing frame whilst my six year old was on the top of it and he was having to hold on tighter and be more careful. The same two teenagers then started showing off to each other more and shouting about inappropriate sexual things that I didn't want my son to hear.
“One of them then started using the climbing frame in a way it wasn't intended to be used and shouted down to their friend 'should I jump from here?' Knowing that it would probably result in injury if they did and this was setting a bad example for the younger children around them including my son. Had the younger children decided to copy then it definitely would result in them getting injured so I was annoyed that it was suggested in front of them.
“They continued to use inappropriate sexual language and swear words, so after only 10 minutes at the park I decided to remove my son from the situation and leave which was a shame for us.
“I did debate going over to the teens and having a quiet word with them, hoping they would understand, apologise and stop but teenagers can be so unpredictable I didn't want to risk them arguing back and getting abusive in front of my son and making matters worse. I decided it was really more of the parents duty to ensure their teens were trustworthy, responsible and respectful enough when out alone so I turned to Facebook hoping the parents would see and recognise that it was their children.”
