A few months ago, an incident was revealed to me during a small group conversation, starting an enlightening classroom discussion. A student revealed they had been added to a group chat without consent, being suddenly exposed to aggressive content. This triggered an immediate wave of empathy amongst the students: surprisingly, many classmates shared this experience. This conversation unearthed alarming issues, such as unsolicited additions to cryptocurrency groups and exposure to harmful content like:

• Radical political propaganda 

• Explicit/illegal content 

• Racism

• Homophobia

• Hitler images and content

• Manipulated images of nudity 

It became evident that this was not an isolated incident but a widespread concern affecting many students; alarmingly, this included those in elementary schools. The ubiquity of these chat groups underscores a grim reality: young individuals are being targeted by harmful entities, from hate groups to aggressive marketing campaigns to those sharing explicit content. What's particularly startling is the scale of these groups, some boasting over 8,000 “members.” It’s important to remember that nobody should be forced into the false endorsement of the ideas proliferated in these groups by being made a “member” without their consent, but that this also has repercussions on reputation and mental well-being and could have harmful circumstances down the line for your child.

When talking about how to address this issue, I realized a significant gap in awareness: many students are in the dark about the privacy settings available on platforms like WhatsApp. These settings are crucial as they can significantly mitigate the risk of being added to unsolicited groups. Here’s a simplified guide for parents and educators:

1. Open WhatsApp and navigate to 'Settings' > 'Account' > 'Privacy' > 'Groups.'

2. You’ll find three options: 'Everyone,' 'My Contacts,' or 'My Contacts Except…'

3. Opt for 'My Contacts Except…' and proactively select contacts to prevent unsolicited additions.

4. Regularly review these settings with your child and with students, ensuring their digital environment remains secure.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge the loophole: even if these settings are applied, a child can still be added to groups by existing contacts. This highlights the importance of open communication and education about online safety.

To foster a safe online environment, it’s crucial to encourage open dialogues with children about their online interactions. They often refrain from reporting inappropriate content due to fear of retribution, or being labeled as “snitches.” But the resources–at least a friendly ear–are there! We should be open with them about the fact that these conversations should be happening at school, at home, and with specialists like myself. They need to hear this from multiple adults, and it needs to be repeated. It’s our responsibility to assure them that their safety is paramount and that they can approach adults for help without fear of judgment.

Moreover, parents and educators should engage in detailed discussions about the implications of hate speech and the importance of respectful online conduct. It's alarming to note the lack of understanding among children regarding serious issues like the misuse of historical symbols. These conversations should extend beyond the surface, delving into the reasons why certain content is harmful and illegal.

By embracing transparency, we can create a safer and more understanding online environment for our children. I am keen to hear from others who have faced similar issues and am always here to help, whether through workshops or setting up educational classes to address these concerns.

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–Allison Ochs, social pedagogue/worker, author, mother of three, wife

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