[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Section” _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/10\/01130024\/2024-09-Blog-What-is-Sidechat_Hero.jpg” alt=”what is sidechat?” title_text=”2024-09 %91Blog%93 What is Sidechat_Hero” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Image” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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Sidechat is the anonymous social media app that\u2019s stirring up controversy on college campuses across the US.<\/span><\/p>\n The app encourages its young users to \u201cfind their community\u201d and post, comment, and DM completely anonymously\u2014and it is proving to be a hit with students.<\/span><\/p>\n And, like with other trendy apps, Sidechat\u2019s popularity has trickled down to younger generations – but is it safe for younger teens and tweens?<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When it was launched in 2022, Sidechat allowed users, specifically Harvard students, to write and share anonymous posts that were only visible to other Harvard students. The platform grew to become active at a few more elite universities before spreading through campuses all over the US.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Sidechat emphasizes local, campus-specific discussions, where users can talk about anything from college life and classes to social events, and local happenings. <\/span>The platform\u2019s focus on anonymity allows users to engage in gossip, express their views, and get things off their chest <\/b>without the consequences of revealing their identities<\/span>.<\/b><\/p>\n Although it\u2019s primarily targeted at college students, <\/span>Sidechat is now available to <\/b>anyone<\/i><\/b> who wants to discreetly post, share, and engage in conversations<\/b> within their chosen communities. These communities can be based on interests, such as gaming, NBA, and Taylor Swift, or just places where people can confess or vent anonymously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The concept of anonymous posting is nothing new. YikYak, another pseudonymous, college-based social media platform, was launched back in 2013 – but the service closed down a few years later following <\/span>heavy criticism in the media<\/span><\/a> over the amount of racism, antisemitism, sexism, and cyber-bullying, on the platform. YikYak relaunched in 2021 and was bought by Sidechat in 2023.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n When you sign up for Sidechat, you\u2019re asked to enter and verify your school email address to join your college or high school\u2019s community – this ensures only students from that school can participate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But Sidechat isn\u2019t just for college students. <\/span>You can skip the school email part and join communities based on interests and topics<\/b>, such as sports, music, and TV. Users can also create threads for confessions, rants, or advice.<\/span><\/p>\n You can then choose a community to post in either anonymously or under a username – which is usually randomly generated. You can post simple text, images, videos, polls, or links and choose to allow replies and DMs. Like on <\/span>Reddit<\/span><\/a>, you can up and downvote other users\u2019 posts to boost or reduce their visibility.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n At the time of writing, Sidechat is only available to iOS users.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”66514″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n According to their terms and conditions, <\/span>Sidechat users must be at least 13 years old to use the service.\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Users have to enter their age when creating an account – but without any kind of verification, there’s nothing to stop users from lying about their age.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2024\/10\/01130802\/2024-09-Blog-What-is-Sidechat_InsideImage.jpg” alt=”students using sidechat” title_text=”2024-09 %91Blog%93 What is Sidechat_InsideImage” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”66514″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Although Sidechat was created for college students,<\/span> it now allows anyone over the age of 13 to join and interact with a wide range of communities.<\/b> In fact, Sidechat\u2019s page on the <\/span>iOS store<\/span><\/a> lacks any mention of colleges or students.<\/span><\/p>\n Sidechat\u2019s <\/span>Community Guidelines<\/span><\/a> state that they \u201care deeply committed to protecting those under the age of 18. Any content referencing minors is moderated with significantly greater caution and severity.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n After using Sidechat ourselves, we found several potential dangers parents need to be aware of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lack of moderation<\/b><\/p>\n Sidechat\u2019s Community Guidelines forbid any posts, comments, or messages with content that could interpreted as:<\/span><\/p>\n To enforce this, Sidechat relies on its users to report questionable content that then gets reviewed by a moderation team of <\/span>just 30 people<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This “closing the stable door after the horse has bolted” approach to moderation means that young users can easily see <\/span>inappropriate content<\/span><\/a> before it\u2019s removed.<\/span><\/p>\n Toxicity<\/b><\/p>\n YikYak, Sidechat\u2019s predecessor, fell out of favor when it became increasingly associated with <\/span>bullying, discriminatory speech, and threats of bomb and gun violence<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n It seems Sidechat isn\u2019t much of an improvement. <\/span>College administrators<\/span><\/a> said that \u201cthe app\u2019s anonymous nature has fueled hateful rhetoric\u201d when Sidechat was blamed for spreading political division on campuses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While the anonymous aspect of the app can protect the identities of its users and give them the freedom to interact with less social pressure, <\/span>it also empowers some to say things they never would if their identity was known. <\/b>This is especially true for those with hateful beliefs who would face consequences if they expressed them publicly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Personal details can be revealed<\/b><\/p>\n Although Sidechat aims for anonymity, it doesn\u2019t mean a user\u2019s identity or address can\u2019t be inadvertently revealed. For example, a user might talk about events, locations, or personal experiences, making it easier to work out who\u2019s behind the post and potentially put them at risk of <\/span>cyberbullying<\/span><\/a>, blackmail, or <\/span>grooming<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Private messages<\/b><\/p>\n Like most other social media platforms, Sidechat allows users to connect via DMs (direct messages) and group chats. Empowered with anonymity, cyberbullies, predators, <\/span>sextorters<\/span><\/a>, and other nefarious users are free to target young users one-on-one.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_module=”66514″ saved_tabs=”all” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Sidechat is mostly used by students to post college-specific jokes and memes, gossip, talk about exams, share resources, and other harmless things – all anonymously.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, the anonymous nature of the app gives a few bad apples the platform to spout hateful rhetoric and target individuals. The app\u2019s limited moderation means <\/span>inappropriate content<\/span><\/a> can slip through the cracks and be viewed by anyone.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is Sidechat?<\/b><\/h2>\n
How does Sidechat work?<\/b><\/h2>\n
What is the age requirement for using Sidechat?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Is Sidechat safe for kids?<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Qustodio\u2019s final recommendation<\/b><\/h2>\n