Ah man… these WhatsApp groups!
We work with a few schools, and I promise you, in every meeting this topic comes up. It’s a real bugbear—for everyone. And it’s not just the kids… it’s the adults too!
I’m on a few parent groups myself, and honestly, I love them. Parents are always sharing reminders, creative ideas, and keeping us on track. And yes, I’ve also had moments where I didn’t read the brief properly or completely misunderstood what was being asked. We've all been there.
What I really enjoy is the sense of support that comes with these groups. Most of the time, people are just trying to help and stay connected. But every now and then, something gets said, and it just doesn’t land right. And yes, tone and message can easily get lost online. What was meant as a joke, a bit of humour, or even a throwaway comment can come across completely differently on screen.
That’s why we have to be so careful with what we say—especially in writing, especially online.
And then there are those moments where something serious has happened. You’re upset. You’re worried about your child. You want to raise a concern—and you should! But putting it on a public group can cause more harm than good. Perception is powerful, and the reaction from others can quickly make something bigger than it ever needed to be.
The best advice we—and the schools—can give is this: if you’re concerned, speak to your child’s teacher directly. If that doesn’t help, follow the proper process in the school’s code of conduct. But please, don’t take it online. It could make the situation worse, and often, it just needs to be resolved quietly and respectfully—without 20 other parents jumping in with their opinions.
Please also remember that schools are here to support both you and your child, but they do have to be fair to all parties involved. Addressing concerns through the correct channels is not just respectful—it’s the most effective way to get real solutions.
"Technology can bring us closer—but it’s kindness and understanding that keep us truly connected."
Now, let’s talk about our kids.
I honestly can’t say this enough: we have to be vigilant. Just last week, the Gauteng Division of the High Court made a landmark ruling against Meta (the company behind WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook). The court ordered Meta to permanently shut down dozens of anonymous accounts that were distributing explicit child sexual abuse material—featuring real schoolchildren from local schools.
This is huge. It’s a big win for protecting children online. And I really encourage you to read about it here. https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-07-24-meta-held-accountable-by-sa-court-in-fight-against-online-child-sexual-abuse/
And please don’t think, “This could never happen to my child.” It does. It happens to the confident ones. The kind ones. The ones who hardly use their phones. The ones who’ve been taught better. No child is completely safe in the online world if we’re not actively watching, guiding, and having honest conversations.
Your child’s WhatsApp messages
Their brains are still developing. Their ability to understand tone, read the room, and manage relationships—especially digital ones—is still growing. So yes, they can land themselves in trouble too. Sometimes with serious consequences. And more often than not, it’s because they didn’t fully understand the risk or how something could be perceived. And again, sometimes it just does not get perceived correctly, or the child that is struggling takes this too heart, there are dire consequences for our children, so let’s teach them and keep checking that our children do not become the victim, nor the perpetrators online, and stay vigilant at all times!
So let’s support them. Let’s talk to them. Let’s check in. And let’s also model the kind of online behaviour we want them to follow.
Because online or off—perception matters. Intent matters. And our children’s safety matters most of all.
As does your safety—don’t land in the hot soup over a comment that some could read with humour, and others with a spoonful of venom.
Let’s work together—parents, teachers, and community—to create a safe, supportive space for our children and ourselves both online and offline.
