A Child Safe Alternative to Whatsapp?

When running the junior section of a sports club, many of the older children want to take responsibility of their own training and matches. This brings about the issue of safe communication between juniors and adults, whether that's a fellow player in a senior team, a coach, or a manager. Many teams and clubs might use WhatsApp chats and groups. However, this is not a safe channel of communication when it comes to communicating with junior members.

Why not?

There are a number of issues with using Whatsapp when communicating with junior members.

Firstly, there is no guarantee that the junior's parents are included in any communication. This means that the guardians of that child aren't able to monitor whether their child is receiving appropriate messages from an adult. It is always best practice, and in many clubs compulsory, as an adult member (player/coach/manager) to include guardians is ANY communications with juniors.

Secondly, in WhatsApp, all group members' mobile numbers are exposed to the rest of the group. This means any member of the group chat can message another member directly. Again, raising the concern that no guardians being copied into the communication.

Lastly, WhatsApp allows members to delete messages, this means that any incidents of bullying or harassment can be covered up and not accurately reported to club administrators or welfare officers

So, what's the alternative?

In Teamo, any communications between an adult and junior always automatically copies in their guardians. Whether that's an in-app 1-to-1 message, a group chat or a team email. That way guardians are always able to monitor the appropriateness of the messages their child receives from an adult in the club. Not only that, but no contact details are visible to other members of a group chat, meaning a child cannot be message outside of the Teamo system without their guardians consent. Furthermore, In Teamo no message can be deleted, allowing any member (junior or senior), to report inappropriate messages to the necessary source at the club.

All these features allow for both the child and the adult to communicate in a fully safeguarded way.

If you want to find out more about how Teamo can help you manage your junior section, take a look at our recent webinar here, or book a demo using the button below!