Forum Discussion
Solved
Block external links in chats?
My son makes use of MS Teams in his primary school. Kids are allowed to start private chats. I occasionally encounter external links in the chats to install game apps that I do not consider fit for young kids, and links to YouTube videos with violent or other objectionable imagery.
What are the options to block external links from chats (or otherwise filter content)?
I realize that kids may also send each other these type of links via their smartphones, but that doesn't mean their school should facilitate it. Violations may pose serious legal problems for the school.
- Hi GertUS
No way currently to block links - there is a uservoice open to block chat users
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/599053-schools-and-universities/suggestions/40007353-blocking-people-on-chat
And limit chat to school hours
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/599053-schools-and-universities/suggestions/36800125-chat-feature-management
And flagging inappropriate content to administrators
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/599053-schools-and-universities/suggestions/35398777-flagging-inappropriate-content
What you can do is apply a messaging policy to students which disables private chat. See here for more details
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/batch-policy-assignment-edu
https://contosoedu.com/disable-private-chat-in-microsoft-teams-for-students/
I would recommend sending these links on to the school as well as images of the inappropriate content which would justify turning private chat off. As a former secondary school teacher and as a parent myself, I could never condone or support the use of private chat between students from a safeguarding perspective. There have of course been stories in the media over the years how this type of communication has led to serious consequences
If the school pushes back then I ask them if they are using these in terms of safeguarding their students
Communications compliance which monitors for offensive language and harrassment
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/communication-compliance?view=o365-worldwide
ATP which includes safe links and will protect them from malicious content
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/office-365-security/atp-for-spo-odb-and-teams?view=o365-worldwide
Information Barriers which prevent individuals talking to one another
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/information-barriers-in-teams
You would have an interesting response for sure. If you are still not happy with the response I would consider activating restrictions on the phone and adding the app to it. There is no price on wellbeing and safeguarding your son.
Hope that answers your question
Best, Chris
- Hi GertUS
No way currently to block links - there is a uservoice open to block chat users
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/599053-schools-and-universities/suggestions/40007353-blocking-people-on-chat
And limit chat to school hours
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/599053-schools-and-universities/suggestions/36800125-chat-feature-management
And flagging inappropriate content to administrators
https://microsoftteams.uservoice.com/forums/599053-schools-and-universities/suggestions/35398777-flagging-inappropriate-content
What you can do is apply a messaging policy to students which disables private chat. See here for more details
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/MicrosoftTeams/batch-policy-assignment-edu
https://contosoedu.com/disable-private-chat-in-microsoft-teams-for-students/
I would recommend sending these links on to the school as well as images of the inappropriate content which would justify turning private chat off. As a former secondary school teacher and as a parent myself, I could never condone or support the use of private chat between students from a safeguarding perspective. There have of course been stories in the media over the years how this type of communication has led to serious consequences
If the school pushes back then I ask them if they are using these in terms of safeguarding their students
Communications compliance which monitors for offensive language and harrassment
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/compliance/communication-compliance?view=o365-worldwide
ATP which includes safe links and will protect them from malicious content
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/office-365-security/atp-for-spo-odb-and-teams?view=o365-worldwide
Information Barriers which prevent individuals talking to one another
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoftteams/information-barriers-in-teams
You would have an interesting response for sure. If you are still not happy with the response I would consider activating restrictions on the phone and adding the app to it. There is no price on wellbeing and safeguarding your son.
Hope that answers your question
Best, Chris
