Moreton School’s #WakeUpWednesday: Guide to Group Chats

Dear Parents/Guardians,

We hope this message finds you well. As part of Moreton School’s commitment to promoting online safety for our students, we are continuing our #WakeUpWednesday movement with important information about group chats and how to protect your children from bullying and inappropriate content online.

Group chats can be a common way for students to communicate with their peers, but they can also pose risks such as cyberbullying, sharing inappropriate content, and exposure to harmful influences.

Here are some additional tips to help you safeguard your child in group chats:

1. Set Clear Expectations: Talk to your child about appropriate behavior in group chats and set clear expectations. Teach them to be respectful, kind, and considerate in their online interactions, and remind them that anything they share online can have consequences.
2. Encourage Reporting: Let your child know that they should report any bullying, harassment, or inappropriate content they come across in group chats to a trusted adult, such as a teacher or parent. Make sure they feel comfortable and supported in reporting any concerns.
3. Monitor Group Chats: Regularly review your child’s group chat activities and discuss any concerning or inappropriate content that may arise. Encourage your child to come to you if they encounter any uncomfortable situations or messages in group chats.
4. Use Privacy Settings: Many messaging apps and platforms allow users to adjust privacy settings. Ensure that your child’s group chats are set to private, and only allow access to trusted contacts.
5. Educate About Risks: Help your child understand the potential risks of group chats, such as cyberbullying, sharing of inappropriate content, and exposure to harmful influences. Educate them about how to recognize and respond to these risks effectively.
6. Limit Screen Time: Set healthy screen time limits for your child and encourage them to take breaks from group chats and other online activities. Promote offline activities and face-to-face interactions with peers.

By implementing these measures, you can help protect your child from the potential risks associated with group chats and ensure they have a safe online experience.

We will continue to share more resources and guides as part of our #WakeUpWednesday movement to support you in promoting online safety for your child. Thank you for your continued partnership in keeping our students safe online.

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