What Parents And Carers Need to Know about Group Chats

Image of Dr Claire Sutherland
Dr Claire Sutherland Online safety consultant, educator and researcher
Guide

This week's free online safety guide focuses on group chats. It highlights a number of risks such as bullying, inappropriate content and unknown members.

A free online safety guide on group chats.

Occurring through messaging apps, on social media and in online games, group chats are among the most popular ways that young people engage with their peers online. Involving, by definition, three or more individuals, these groups allow users to send messages, images and videos to everyone in one place. While they are useful for helping friends, people with shared interests or members of a club to communicate and coordinate activities, they can also leave young people feeling excluded and bullied – as well as providing opportunities for inappropriate content to be shared and viewed.

In the guide, you'll find tips on a number of potential risks such as bullying, inappropriate content and unknown members.