WhatsApp groups adding children without permission
Notifications OFF
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0l4z8n1p9o
This story in the BBC seems to be rather misleading, but I don't use WhatsApp myself, so I wanted to find out what others think.
It says that children are being added to groups that are full of harmful content, but presumably they can't just add children at random, they must have the phone number first, so where did they get that number from?
It sounds like the children gave their number to someone at the school, probably a classmate, or an older child, and that person added them to the group, but it doesn't say that in the article. It implies they were added by complete strangers who they didn't know.
What is actually going on here?
This story in the BBC seems to be rather misleading, but I don't use WhatsApp myself, so I wanted to find out what others think.
It says that children are being added to groups that are full of harmful content, but presumably they can't just add children at random, they must have the phone number first, so where did they get that number from?
It sounds like the children gave their number to someone at the school, probably a classmate, or an older child, and that person added them to the group, but it doesn't say that in the article. It implies they were added by complete strangers who they didn't know.
What is actually going on here?
I have used WhatsApp for years and have never been added to groups by strangers, only by people I know.
I've never been added to groups but I have had 2 or 3 random people message me or call me over the years from what looks to be a foreign number. I block them but it did make me question where they got my number from, especially with them having a foreign number!
I've just read the article. It sounds like some kind of right wing incel project due the nature of the group chat content! I do think we're going to see a lot more of things like this and I have seen similar ideologies perpetrated online. There's been a huge increase in the number of things like this which the terrorism police deal with. Not sure why they're bringing such young children into it but a lot of teenage boys are susceptible to that kind of behaviour. I wish everyone would put their phones down and live in the real world, it's awful.
Similarly, I've had the odd random message or call but from numbers I don't know. I have neices and nephews, they are added to groups from their schools and social peers. Lots of it is friendly, but bullying happens on their. I am part of quite a few groups on WhatsApp but since all of this I've made sure the images don't download automatically on my phone - But still lots of complete strangers have my number.
Thinking about the future, when my partner is allowed the Internet again, I'd hoped we'd be able to use it, but knowing anyone that had his number could send him anything, makes me nervous. I'd feel much more comfortable if you have to accept an invitation to talk, or something similar.
Interestingly, a group I'm part of on Facebook, for an outdoor active hobby recently had to warn the group that people were being targeted within the group and being sent indecent images. It's quite terrifying actually that if you number or email is out there, you could have this stuff sent to you, which is violating in its is right, would be very disturbing to see and also expose you to being convicted.
Thinking about the future, when my partner is allowed the Internet again, I'd hoped we'd be able to use it, but knowing anyone that had his number could send him anything, makes me nervous. I'd feel much more comfortable if you have to accept an invitation to talk, or something similar.
Interestingly, a group I'm part of on Facebook, for an outdoor active hobby recently had to warn the group that people were being targeted within the group and being sent indecent images. It's quite terrifying actually that if you number or email is out there, you could have this stuff sent to you, which is violating in its is right, would be very disturbing to see and also expose you to being convicted.
You can change the settings to stop people adding you without your permission, but how many people bother, until its already too late?
I wonder how far they will get with the proposed ban on under 16s having smartphones? I would support a ban.
I wonder how far they will get with the proposed ban on under 16s having smartphones? I would support a ban.