Zift Advisory
GroupMe is a group messaging app that lets users host and join chats one-on-one or in groups. It is free to download and use and is rated for users of all ages. The GroupMe app is best suited for mature teens with parental supervision.
What is GroupMe?
GroupMe is a fully-featured group messaging app owned by Microsoft. It lets users host and join chats between groups of users, or one-on-one.
The GroupMe app can be found in the App Store and the Google Play Store. It is rated for users of all ages and offers in-app purchases.
When users first open this app they will be asked to login or create an account using their email or Facebook account. GroupMe will also ask the user to verify their phone number or to verify a number that isn’t the phone they are using.
From there, users are able to begin chatting with their friends by syncing their contacts or adding friends by using their phone number or email address. Users can insert animations and GIFs into messages, or use an integrated search feature to find photos or videos to share.
People in GroupMe chats can also create and share Calendar events in order to coordinate offline activities among friends. Micropayment features are also available, for splitting tabs or loaning money to friends. Users are also able to log in to their account via a browser at groupme.com and chat from there as well.
In-app purchases are available for different emoji packs to use from $0.99 to $1.99.
GroupMe is well-reviewed in both app stores but common user complaints mention that this app isn’t always the easiest to navigate and that you must launch the app to view any notifications.
Is GroupMe safe for my kids?
GroupMe is not safe for kids. The app is not moderated and does not have content filtering. The emoji and GIF library for which GroupMe is known contains a number of images not suitable for young children.
GroupMe's image library contains mature content, including sexualized images and the use of alcohol and drugs. Some are part of the default library, while others are only available through in-app purchases.
As with any chatting or group chatting app, parents should know that it will be difficult to keep track of who their children are contacting and the nature of their messages. Parents should have a discussion with their children about what appropriate use of this app and group messengers.
Parents may also have to worry about cyberbullying when it comes to group messengers and should take the time to talk about prevention and what to do if it happens to themselves or someone else.
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