klicksafe material updatedRules for respectful interaction in the class chat
Class chats are digital, social exchange spaces for class communities. From year 5 at the latest, pupils independently create so-called class chat groups on messenger apps such as WhatsApp. These can be helpful because information about homework or school events can be exchanged quickly and easily. However, a lack of netiquette, time or topic limits often lead to stress and excessive demands in class chat groups, as countless and often unimportant pieces of information are shared late into the night. Other risks in class chats include cyberbullying and the sharing of pornographic and other criminal content such as violent videos, national socialist symbols or racist memes. If criminal content is posted or cyberbullying takes place in class chats, there may be criminal consequences. It is important to consider whether a warning and addressing the content in class should not be preferred to such a step in the first instance. After all, such offenses often occur in ignorance because pupils are often not informed preventively.
What can teachers do?
Teachers generally do not have access to the chat group. Due to the requirement for teachers to maintain distance from their students, teachers are often advised against private participation and monitoring of class chats. However, if teachers are aware of harmful or illegal content and activities, they must take action and, for example, help to preserve evidence. To prevent problems, educational professionals should informstudents about the risks of class chats at the beginning of the school year and set binding rules for group chats. Make it unmistakably clear what content belongs in the chat and what must not be shared under any circumstances. Decide together who will ensure that the rules are adhered to and who will impose any sanctions. klicksafe offers the updated teaching unit "Rules for class chats" with new case studies and group tasks for download. Classes can record the rules they have developed in the poster "Our rules for the class chat" to go with the teaching unit. The teaching unit is suitable for class 5 and above. Classes can order the poster for the teaching unit as a print version (size DIN A 1) from klicksafe.
Once everything is settled, teachers should continue to keep an eye on the topic of class chats. Discuss the class chat, e.g. in the class leadership lessons or the class council. Ask about the current atmosphere in the class chat. Group chats often have a negative effect on the class atmosphere. Analog conflicts are also negotiated and continued digitally. Children should always know who they can confidently ask for help in an emergency and receive immediatesupport . Involve the parents or the school community if there are increasing problems in class chats at your school.
Best Practice
In this letter to parents and students, you can read how a school in Hesse reminds students that hate and hate speech have no place in class chats.
Further information from klicksafe
klicksafe offers many other materials on the risks that can lead to serious problems in class chats at - both for educational professionals and for parents:
