Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams provides an interface accessible via phone and desktop apps and browser with text based channels (including sharing photos, gifs, and emojis), file sharing, and other add-ons. Supports tagging users for notifications.

• Users are invited by email address (names for those outside the Microsoft server can only be set when the email address is invited).

• Private messaging cannot be turned off and should be managed by covenant

• Supports video calls without the host features of zoom but within a secure environment.

Slack

Slack provides an interface accessible via phone and desktop apps and browser with text based channels (including sharing photos, gifs, and emojis), file sharing, and other add-ons. Supports tagging users for notifications.

• Private messaging cannot be turned off and should be managed by covenant

• Supports video calls without the host features of zoom but within a secure environment.

Google Drive

Google Drive provides a collaborative space including ability to comment and reply to comments. Can be especially creative by using editable diagrams in Google Slides re-creating some of what is possible in person on large sheets of paper including using re-arrangeable “stickies”.

GroupMe

GroupMe is primarily a group texting service though it also has features such as attach files, polls, and a group calendar. Accessible via browser, phone app, and SMS message. This makes it a more accessible option for those without smartphones.

• Private messaging cannot be turned off and should be managed by covenant

Remind

Remind is primarily a texting service intended for teachers to make announcements to classes. It can be managed as an announcement service or a discussion group and through the webpage users can access files and conversations. Messages can be received through browser, email, phone call, or SMS.

• Private messaging cannot be turned off and should be managed by covenant

• Group conversations are limited to 9

Text Messages

Text messages may be used for logistical messages, avoiding one on one youth and adult interaction. However even group text messages do not provide the inclusive container that the platforms above do. For example, it is easy to accidentally drop someone off a group text without realizing it.

Messenger

Similar to text messages in many ways. However, it can be used for group messages when all parties are on Messenger and agree to use it. Some youth are on Messenger even though they don't use Facebook. Others prefer to avoid it entirely.

Discord

Discord provides a functionality similar to Teams or Slack, sporting a more friendly user interface and a further variety of Bot and AI options to help with moderation and other tasks. Like Slack, Discord allows for the creation of channels on multiple topics within a server. However, unlike Slack, once a user creates an account they are able to search public Discord servers. Some of these servers are inappropriate or dangerous for youth. Therefore, parents/guardians should be in conversation with their youth about what servers they join and participate in.

• Servers should be set to private so only approved users can join.
• Admins for the server should switch on the explicit image filter, and set verification requirements for participation to highest.
• Direct messages and 1:1 videos cannot be turned off completely, so it should be part of your covenant and practices that no adult will be in a 1 to 1 conversation with youth.
• Users can set friend request settings so only server members can send friend requests. Adults should not send friend requests to youth if they are not related.
• We recommend youth turn on the explicit image and spam filters for direct messages.
• Server should be set up so only specific people (e.g. moderators) can set up channels including video and text chats.
• We recommend the covenant includes a requirement that contact between youth (e.g. 1:1 messages) stays covenantal and explicitly encourages youth to set good boundaries for themselves (e.g. saying no to 1:1 messages or videos)