A Discord & Slack 101: Let’s Get Kids Chatting Safely!

What exactly are Discord and Slack?

Discord and Slack are platforms where kids can communicate instantly. This means they’re not just sending messages back and forth; they can also talk in real-time using voice chat and, in some cases, video.

Discord: So, what’s this “Discord” thing all about? Well, it began as a cool way for gamers to chat while they play, but it’s grown into something much bigger! Imagine online clubs where kids can meet up with others who love the same things they do. These clubs are called “servers,” and they’re all about different topics—from video games and art to movies and pets. Kids can text chat, share fun stuff, and even have voice conversations with each other.

Slack: Slack is a place where groups can talk and share things together. It’s used a lot by grown-ups at their jobs, but also by schools and clubs. There are ‘channels’ for different topics—like a channel for your soccer team and a channel for your art class. You can send messages to everyone in the channel or just to one friend. Plus, you can share pictures and files really easily, and it even works with other cool apps!

How Kids Use Discord and Slack

Game Time! Talking to friends while you’re gaming… it’s like having a team huddle but online.

Finding your crew: Joining groups or chats about your favourite things, like music, movies, or even pets!

Chatting with mates: Hanging out with friends online and maybe making some new ones too.

Homework help and project collaboration: Working on school projects with classmates, especially on Slack.

Potential Risks and Concerns

Now, as awesome as Discord and Slack are, we need to talk about some of the not-so-fun parts. Like any place where people gather, there are some risks. Sometimes kids can get bullied online, especially since it can be easy for people to hide behind their screens.

Also, depending on the groups kids join, they might come across stuff that’s not really for kids, like grown-up content. It’s also super important to be careful about sharing personal information online, like their school name, address or phone number, because you don’t want them to share that with strangers. And, while it doesn’t happen often, there’s a small risk of running into people who aren’t who they say they are and who might try to take advantage of kids.

Discord and bullying while gaming

Sometimes, when people get really into a game and their adrenaline is pumping, things can get intense. People from all over the world play online, and everyone has different ways of expressing themselves. Unfortunately, this sometimes includes swearing or using foul language.

Your kids might hear words or see teasing that feels mean or aggressive. It’s important to explain that even when the game gets exciting, kids need to be kind to each other and use appropriate language. Have a conversation with your children about what kind of language is okay and how to keep things fun and friendly, even when the competition heats up.

Tips for parents on these platforms

NO personal clues: Remind your kids to never use their real name, where they live, their school, or any photos of themselves as part of their online profile or username. It’s like a secret agent—you want to keep your real identity safe and hidden online! It is highly recommended that you are present when they set up their profile.

Monitor activity: Check in with your kids about who they’re interacting with and what they’re discussing. One important thing you can do is check the chat logs. Most platforms like Discord and Slack keep a history of messages.

By occasionally reviewing these logs with your child, you can get a sense of their conversations and who they’re talking to. This can help you spot any potential issues or concerns early on. It’s a way to stay informed and keep the lines of communication open.

Privacy Settings: It’s super important to help your kids set up their privacy settings correctly on Discord and Slack. This controls who can contact them and see their information. For example, you can often set it so that only friends or server members can send direct messages, or that their profile information is only visible to certain people.

Take some time together to explore these settings. You might need to go into the ‘Settings’ menu and look for ‘Privacy’ or ‘Safety’ options. Make sure they understand what each setting does, and help them choose the options they feel most comfortable with. It’s a great way to help them have more control over their online experience and who can interact with them.

Be smart and safe: Talk to your kids about what kinds of things are okay and not okay online. Teach them how to report bullying, mean words, or inappropriate stuff to the people who run the platform (e.g. the moderators). Also, think about whether the platform is a good fit for your child’s age, their temperament and how mature they are before letting them use it.

Additional considerations

It’s important to know a couple more things about Discord. First, there’s a live audio feature where lots of people can talk at the same time, like a big group phone call. This can make it a bit tricky for parents to know exactly what’s going on or who their child is talking to.

Also, some people might use voice changers to make themselves sound different, which can make it hard to tell who they really are. That’s why staying involved and having open conversations with your kids about who they’re talking to and what they’re doing online is so important. By working together and talking openly, parents and kids can help make sure everyone stays safe and has fun on Discord and Slack!

This blog post provides general information and should not be considered professional advice. Always exercise caution and supervise your children’s online activities.

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