STOAT
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MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? Stoat is a community chat platform where users can create or join servers to talk with friends or build online groups. Similar to other community chat apps, it allows messaging, organised channels, and custom roles within communities. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. 🔞 Sensitive Content Filters Stoat is a community chat platform where users can create or join servers and communicate in text channels or private messages. Because content is created and shared by users, conversations or shared media may sometimes include mature language or inappropriate content depending on the community. Safety and moderation tools may depend on how individual servers are managed by their administrators. 💬 Direct Messaging Stoat allows users to send private messages and communicate in group channels within servers. Depending on the platform’s privacy settings and the communities a user joins, they may be able to receive messages from people they do not know. Encouraging young people to only interact with trusted contacts can help reduce unwanted communication. 🧑💻 Online Predators and Grooming As with many online chat platforms, users can meet new people through shared communities. While this can help people connect over common interests, it also means strangers may attempt to build relationships over time and move conversations into private messages. Young users should be reminded not to share personal information and to block or report anyone who makes them uncomfortable. 📱 Cyberbullying and Harassment Messaging platforms with group chats and community servers can sometimes be misused for bullying, exclusion, or harassment. Private groups or invite-only servers may allow negative behaviour to occur without wider visibility. Encouraging respectful communication and reminding children how to block or report users can help address these risks. 🔐 Privacy Concerns Stoat promotes a privacy-focused approach and states that it does not sell user data or display ads. However, like most communication platforms, users still share messages, media, and personal information within conversations. Children should be encouraged to think carefully about what they share online and who they interact with. 👀 Location Sharing Stoat does not publicly display a user’s exact location to others. However, conversations, shared photos, or personal details within chats could still reveal information about where someone lives or spends time. Reminding children not to share location details or personal information online remains important. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲 Understand the App - Familiarise yourself with how Stoat works. It is a community chat platform where users can create or join servers, communicate in channels, and send private messages. Understanding how the platform operates can help you guide your child and recognise potential online risks. 👨👧 Parental Supervision - Stay aware of the platforms your child is using and who they are communicating with online. Because Stoat allows users to join different communities, they may interact with people outside their real-life friendship groups. 📢 Underage Accounts - Stoat may have age requirements, but like many online platforms, age verification often relies on information entered by the user. This means younger users may still create accounts by entering false dates of birth. 👥 Manage Friend Requests and Communities - Encourage your child to only interact with people they know and trust. Even if someone shares the same server or interests, remind them that people met online are still strangers. 📷 Be Careful What You Share - Messages, images, and files shared in chats can reveal personal details. Remind your child not to share private information, photos of their home, school details, or anything that could reveal their location. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts - If something feels uncomfortable or suspicious, encourage your child to leave the conversation, block the user if possible, and tell a trusted adult. 🖥️ Use Devices in Shared Spaces - Keep internet-connected devices in shared areas of the home such as living rooms or kitchens rather than bedrooms. This helps encourage safer online habits and makes supervision easier. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble - Watch for behaviour changes such as secrecy about online activity, anxiety after using messaging apps, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps or accounts. 💬 Keep Communication Open - Have regular conversations with children about online safety topics such as cyberbullying, grooming, exploitation, and protecting their personal information online. Creating an open environment makes it easier for them to ask for help. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you see suspected child sexual abuse content online, report it to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), which helps remove illegal images from the internet. If you’re worried about online sexual exploitation or abuse, you can make a report to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) - a UK law enforcement team dedicated to protecting children and young people online. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Factsheets for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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