NC Kids Could Be Targeted on This Popular App By Predators

A study from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children found that 59% of children targeted by predators online were 15 years old or younger, with most predators using social media, messenger, and gaming apps to reach their victims. Given these concerns, it's crucial for parents and guardians to be vigilant about their children's online interactions across all platforms, including GroupMe

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GroupMe, a popular group messaging app, facilitates communication among friends, families, and teams. However, concerns have emerged regarding unsolicited join requests, particularly in groups involving minors. Implementing the "Members Must Be Approved" setting can significantly enhance group security.

A Personal Encounter With Unwanted Join Requests

"As a volleyball coach, I use GroupMe to communicate with my team of teenage girls. I initially set up our group chat with the default “Anyone Can Join” setting, assuming it would simplify communication. However, I quickly noticed a disturbing trend. Almost every week, a new join request would appear—almost always with a man’s name attached. At first, I thought it might be a mistake or someone trying to join the wrong group. But the frequency of these requests raised red flags, especially since the group clearly involved young girls. It became evident that this wasn’t a coincidence but a potential security issue. Now, I always make sure the app is set to 'user must be approved by me before joining the chat.' I also noticed the random users would try to join the parent groupchat. Imagine if these suspicious people got the info of where my team was playing. Please make sure to secure your GroupChats.
-Coach J, ISVB

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Understanding the Risks

While GroupMe offers a convenient platform for group communication, it lacks traditional parental controls, which can pose risks for younger users. The absence of content filtering and the potential for strangers to join groups without approval may expose children to inappropriate content or interactions.

Implementing Approval Settings

To mitigate these risks, group administrators can adjust settings to require approval for new members:

Access Group Settings: In your group chat, select the group's avatar (profile picture), then select "Settings."
Modify Privacy Settings: Under the "Privacy" section, select "Who can join?" and choose "Approved members only." This setting ensures that any new member requests must receive admin approval before joining the group.
Optional - Add a Join Question: For an additional layer of security, you can set a custom question that potential members must answer before their request is considered.

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Additional Safety Measures

Monitor Group Membership: Regularly review group members to ensure all participants are known and authorized.
Educate Participants: Inform group members, especially minors, about the importance of not engaging with unknown individuals online.
Report Suspicious Activity: Utilize GroupMe's reporting features to flag any inappropriate behavior or unsolicited contact attempts.

By proactively managing group settings and educating participants, administrators can create a safer online environment for all members, particularly vulnerable youth.