What is GroupMe and Is It Safe?
You just got an “installed app” notification (if you already have parental control set up) or simply saw a new app on your kid’s smartphone. At first glance, there is no way to tell how safe the app is, especially when you’ve heard about it being the top choice for sports teams and school projects.
GroupMe is one of those apps that gives you a feeling of digital dread. It looks like a highly functional app that you can’t just get rid of. But is it really safe for teens and tweens?
Spoiler: it may not be.
Cybersecurity experts from Kibosh LLC are sharing the most important information about the hidden dangers of the GroupMe app and how to avoid them.
What is GroupMe?
The GroupMe app is a combination of a social media and chat app created by Microsoft back in 2010. It quickly became popular with school groups and sports clubs thanks to several useful features:
- Ability to chat both inside the app and via traditional SMS texting
- Available across Apple and Android devices as well as web browsers
- No need to share your phone number like on WhatsApp
Today, it has millions of users. Kids enjoy the app because it has many built-in features like GIF integration, custom emojis, and even meme-makers. Plus, there is no “green vs blue bubble” drama.
The App Store rates the app 13+. However, since many adults use the app, the full safety of the digital space becomes questionable. Meanwhile, younger kids use it anyway, regardless of the age restriction.
The Red Flags: Hidden Dangers for Tweens
While the app is highly useful and has an excellent interface, it contains certain hidden dangers for teens and tweens.
Lack of Parental Controls
The app doesn’t allow you to keep your kids safe from inside the app. There isn’t a built-in parent mode that helps you limit potentially dangerous areas and actions.
Hidden Chats
If the user doesn’t want a certain chat to clutter their view, they can hide it. It’s easily done by long-pressing on the chat and choosing the “hide” icon. If your child does that, you won’t be able to see certain chats when you monitor GroupMe messages.
Inappropriate Content
GroupMe has a well-designed integrated GIF and image search, which allows the child to search for pics freely. Meanwhile, group chat history never disappears so a new user can browse old content without any limits.
The “Secret Browser” Loophole (Crucial Safety Point)
The main security issue with the app is the GroupMe secret browser. When someone shares a link in the chat, you can open it using the app’s own internal internet browser.
This browser isn’t controlled by your standard on-device parental controls like Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link because they see it as in-app activity. As a result, the child can surf the web freely.
The Kibosh Solution: Safety at the Source
The safety loopholes introduced by this app make it harder to control the content your child sees inside this app and its browser. That’s where Kibosh comes in.
The Kibosh solution filters the connection at the router level. So it doesn’t matter what secret browser or app the child is using, bad content won’t seep through. It detects pornographic or malicious content before it reaches the user’s screen. With Kibosh, parents don’t have to play “whack-a-mole” with every new app update or browser loophole.
Safety Without the Ban
GroupMe is a highly useful tool with several security issues. To protect your family, you need to leverage an additional security layer. Kibosh blocks all the secret and backdoor access, allowing your family to enjoy clean content.
You don’t have to be the “bad guy” who bans the soccer team chat. With Kibosh, you can allow the communication while knowing the internet access is truly filtered. Don’t let hidden browsers put your family at risk. Protect every device in your home with the Kibosh 3.0 Router today.
Image credit: // Shutterstock // Prostock-studio