Group chats, over text or social media, are a huge part of the tween and teen social terrain today. In many ways, they’re an extension of IRL cliques and often serve to solidify these groupings. And just like cliques, group chats can take on a variety of flavors — and cause teenage friendship issues.
It’s worth noting that group chats can serve a positive purpose, helping kids strengthen relationships with their peers and find connection — but they can also be a source of drama, conflict, and even danger. Read on to learn what to do if your child’s group chat starts causing problems in their relationships.
The mere fact that your child is involved in group chats need not be a cause for alarm. Message threads with multiple friends are developmentally appropriate and can be very prosocial. However, because they have the potential to turn negative or expose your child to risks, parents should be aware of the groups their child engages with and watch for signs of concern.
Here are the main issues to keep an eye out for in your child’s group chats, along with practical tips for addressing any issues.
Modern technology has transformed bullying, shifting it from the more easily monitored environments of schools into the often unsupervised digital world. And because technology dramatically increases kids’ access to their peers, it also increases opportunities for bullying. In fact, studies have shown a relationship between owning a phone and involvement in cyberbullying. Group chats are a prime arena for this behavior.
Parents should watch for signs of bullying and encourage their child to come to them if they experience this behavior. If your child is the victim of cyberbullying, it’s important to address it so it can be stopped and your child can get the support they need.
Even if your child isn’t causing the group chat drama, simply being a part of it can cause teenage friendship issues. If the group is making fun or bullying someone else, or if inappropriate content is shared in the thread, it can have a negative impact on your child. They may have emotional fallout or, in the case of inappropriate images, they could face more tangible — and potentially serious — consequences.
Encourage your child to come to you if they witness anything in their group chat that makes them uncomfortable. If they do, start by asking them questions to find out more about the situation. Then, help them brainstorm ways to address it, taking action yourself if the situation warrants it.
Because anyone can add or remove members to a group chat, it’s very easy for your child to end up in a thread with someone they don’t know. While this could be no big deal (a friend of a friend from another school, for example), it may also expose your child to people like predators or scammers.
Talk to your child about the risks of texting with strangers. Encourage them to make sure they know everyone in their group threads. If they haven’t met someone in the group in real life, they should confirm that a trusted friend knows the person and that they are the same age.
Stay ahead of teenage friendship issues and group chats with these tips:
Group chats can be a source of positivity for kids, but they can also be a source of concerning behavior and exposure to risks. Parents should stay informed about the group chats their child is involved in and take proactive steps to watch for issues.
BrightCanary can help you supervise your child’s group chats. The app’s advanced technology scans their texts and social media messaging, alerting you to anything concerning. Download the app and get a free trial today.
