What is the GroupMe Messaging app?

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GroupMe (manufacturer’s site – owned by Microsoft) is a group texting app that allows access to GIFS, emojis, images, videos, and links to websites, without ever leaving the app. It also includes direct messaging for one-to-one contact, allowing you to “ditch” the old-fashioned SMS text message and plan events with contacts in the app.

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Category: Social Networking

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APP Store rating: 4+ (no objectionable material)

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What do parents need to know about GroupMe?

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The app is fun for keeping groups in touch! Imagine the soccer moms, a group of friends at a concert, fraternity sisters, or a large family easily keeping in touch.

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There are in-app purchases. For emoji blocks.

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Sexual GIFs, images, and videos are easily accessible. What’s more, you are able to view the URL source of the GIF, image, or video via Bing without ever leaving the app, even if you have Safari turned off while using a monitored browser like Covenant Eyes.

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Bark can monitor the GroupMe app if you link your child’s account to Bark. Bark’s uses algorithms to look for a variety of potential issues, such as cyberbullying, sexting, drug-related content, and signs of depression. If a potential issue is detected, a text/email alert is sent to you to review the issue, along with recommended actions on how to handle the situation.

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Since there’s no way to delete past posts, there are concerns about a user’s control over content.

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There’s a hidden internet search bar, if you dig deep enough into the Privacy Policy and a few other places, if you know where to look. This means you can search the web without ever leaving the app. Unlike other apps, where a Google search bar is typically found, in this case, it’s either a Bing or MSN search, which doesn’t obey Apple’s Content Restrictions you might have set up on the phone.

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That’s a big problem, and it means that CleanBrowsing or another router-level filter is necessary for any home network that has kids using this app.

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The bottom line: is GroupMe safe for kids?

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The GroupMe messaging app feels like high school and above. There’s just too much access to sexualized content that is not easily detected. Kids just don’t need it! Stick to old-fashioned SMS (“normal”) text messaging in junior high.

What if I have more questions? How can I stay up to date?

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Two actions you can take!

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1. Subscribe to our tech trends newsletter, the PYE Download. About every 3 weeks, we’ll share what’s new, what the PYE team is up to, and a message from Chris.
2. Ask your questions in our private parent community called The Table! It’s not another Facebook group. No ads, no algorithms, no asterisks. Just honest, critical conversations and deep learning! For parents who want to “go slow” together. Become a member today!

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