GroupMe is a messaging app, owned by Microsoft. Users can send group or private messages from their computer or phone using WiFi.
What is the GroupMe app?
GroupMe is a messaging app where users can send group or private messages from their computer or phone using WiFi
Users sign up using their Facebook, Microsoft/Skype account, or their email
Next, users a prompted to verify their phone number through a text message
GroupMe then asks the user to grant the app access to the contacts on their phone
Users can also start chatting with other GroupMe users nearby by granting the app access to their location
Aside from basic messaging capabilities, the app offers emojis (both free and for purchase) and GIFs
Users can also create calendar events and invite their friends directly in the app, create polls, or send photos and videos
Why should parents care?
Some students favor the GroupMe app because the content of a message isn’t displayed when notifications pop up on their device. This feature makes it easy for students to hide negative behavior or content from their parents
Parents have reported instances of kids using the app solely to bully others
There is no way for users to delete old messages
Since activity from the GroupMe app doesn’t show up on their parents’ phone bill, some students use the app to hide their messaging activity
GIFs available on GroupMe can showcase inappropriate content
The app has built-in features that allow users to search the web directly from the app. There is no way to moderate or filter that content
Users can enable geo-location which encourages them to chat with strangers nearby. This feature can be very dangerous since predators use it to target victims in their area
Parents should be aware that within 10 minutes of our team verifying their phone number with GroupMe, they started to receive spam phone calls
GroupMe app in the news
Columbia [University] said it had suspended some of the wrestlers from the team for the rest of the academic year and others until spring semester [due to negative messages sent on GroupMe]. –Newsweek
Private GroupMe messages and group texts [can be] used as backchannels for sharing non-politically correct content. –USA Today College
Work with Josh to mentor your student to use social media in a positive way!Hello Parents, I’m Josh (the founder of SmartSocial.com).
Are you looking for someone to teach your students how to be wise online?
I host LIVE student/parent mentorship video-chats each week to help students plan their online resume (and parents/students are saying it’s a lot of fun)!
Even though some apps allow students to send unlimited messages, take time to discuss and set limits on how much your teen can use texting/messaging apps to connect with their friends
When you’re ready for your teen to have access to messaging apps, check out our Parent App Guide page and encourage your student to use the messaging apps in our Green Zone
Remind your teen of the importance of keeping their messages Light, Bright and Polite, because any message they send online, on social media, or through text messaging can be shared by someone else. Even if the message was intended to remain private
Get access to our “Neighborhood Watch For Digital Safety” in our private Facebook group when you join Parent University
We train 30,000 students each year how to shine online using social media and we show them how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.
Parents & Teachers: Join our Smart Social Podcast each week on iTunes as Josh Ochs interviews digital safety experts and teaches you how to shine online.
We train 30,000 students each year how to shine online using social media and we show them how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.
