In this generation, the use of smartphones is increasing, and messaging applications such as the GroupMe app are also emerging. This app allows users to send messages to others freely. The app appeals to most teenagers because it has no restrictions on messages or fees. You can only send messages using Internet data from a Wi-Fi connection or mobile device data plan. This is where the problem occurs when children use this application. As a parent, you must know this app and find ways to keep your children safe online.
GroupMe app is a messaging app available for iOS, Android, and Windows. Through this app, one can chat with friends or even with strangers without any trouble. The best thing is that your contacts don’t need to have the same operating system for interaction. So, teenagers prefer this app over any other messaging app. These are some of the features of the GroupMe app:
The GroupMe app has features that allow users to share images, videos, GPS locations, and other messages from one place to another very easily. Teenagers usually don’t like using different apps to share messages with their friends, but this app makes sharing things easier for children.
This app offers different chat groups for teens, which is a big deal for them. They may have more than one friend in one group with whom they want to send messages. This app enables them to communicate with each other regularly. Ultimately, the app makes the process easier.
While sending messages to others, you will not have to pay anything as a fee or take any subscription. You can send messages simply using the data plan available for your smartphone or computer.
There are various reasons why the GroupMe application is considered unsafe for children. You can buy emoticons in the app. Many children will be affected, buy, and use it to convey information. Some of these emojis have the characteristics of adult themes and sexy characters. This will affect a child’s growth. If your child is using the application, you must be aware that they may access the content of the application. Here are some reasons why the GroupMe app is not safe for kids:
Inappropriate emojis and violent images can be found in it. You can easily view the URL source of GIF, image, or video without even leaving the app.
A 2022 report by the Internet Watch Foundation found that 37% of children aged 11-17 have encountered sexual content online.
When you start using the app, then it asks to connect to all your contacts. Kids tend to share all their contacts with the app and that may result to breach of privacy.
Teenagers end up talking to strangers and easily become victims of cyberbullying. As they can send as many messages as they want, they can chat with many people whom they might not know personally. This gives predators a chance to bully children.
According to the Cyberbullying Research Center’s 2023 study, 28% of students have experienced cyberbullying. This underscores the need for parental monitoring and guidance to ensure children’s online safety and well-being.
You need to protect children from the negative effects of the GroupMe app. If you allow your children to access the app, you are actually allowing them to access certain inappropriate content. Therefore, you should take steps to prevent children from using this app by following these steps:
You need to talk to your children to discuss what cannot be done and what is inappropriate. Make a reasonable plan and let your children follow it.
Install a spy app on your children’s devices. In this way, you can monitor your children’s GroupMe activities and take timely measures to protect them.
You can’t always restrict children from using mobile phones. You can only talk to them and tell them about the possible harm caused by the GroupMe application. However, if they are already using this, then you cannot expect them to suddenly stop using the app. In this case, you can install a monitoring tool such as iKeyMonitor, which allows you to access your children’s devices. Using this tool, you can easily find out which apps your children are using and take corrective measures accordingly. Here is how iKeyMonitor enables you to monitor the GroupMe app:
You can monitor chat messages on various social media, such as GroupMe, Skype, Line, Kik, and so on. You can check your children’s GroupMe chat history to see if a predator has contacted them.
With iKeyMonitor, you can view a complete list of installed apps on your children’s devices. Check whether your children have downloaded the GroupMe app, and take appropriate measures to protect them in time.
You can check the screenshots of the GroupMe activities to see if your children are safe. You can find the suspect in time and block or report him.
GroupMe can pose safety concerns for kids due to unmoderated content and potential exposure to strangers. Parents should monitor their child’s usage with tools like iKeyMonitor to ensure a safer experience.
GroupMe is rated for users aged 13 and older. Parents should restrict the use of GroupMe by children under 13 years old.
Parents can monitor GroupMe usage by regularly reviewing chat content and setting boundaries. Monitoring apps like iKeyMonitor can provide additional insights into their children’s online interactions.
GroupMe offers basic privacy settings, such as blocking users and hiding personal information. Parents should ensure these settings are appropriately configured to protect their child’s privacy.
Parents should be aware of potential risks such as cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and privacy issues. Using iKeyMonitor and discussing online safety can help mitigate these risks.
Therefore, by monitoring your children’s online activities, you can easily protect them from the harmful effects of dangerous apps such as the GroupMe app. When you use iKeyMonitor, you can better keep your children away from various online threats.