Digital Harm Brief: Confessions pages

What is a ‘confessions page’?

A confessions page is a type of social media account, group, or website where people anonymously submit messages, stories, or opinions to be posted publicly. In schools, these pages are often set up by students and shared widely among classmates.

While some posts may seem light-hearted or entertaining, many confessions pages become spaces for gossip, rumours, and harmful content. Because the posts are anonymous, people often say things they would not say face to face, which can increase the risk of digital harm.

What’s the harm?

Confessions pages can cause serious harm to both students and teachers. Common risks include:

• Bullying and harassment: Anonymous posts may target individuals with insults, rumours, or personal attacks.
• Embarrassment and shame: Being mentioned on a confessions page can feel overwhelming, even if the post seems small to others.
• Spreading false information: Confessions can quickly turn into gossip, damaging reputations and friendships.
• Unsafe content: Pages may include inappropriate language, sexualised content, or harmful behaviour.
• Impact on teachers and staff: When adults are included, it undermines respect and professional boundaries.

Even if some students see these pages as entertainment, the reality is that confessions pages often become spaces of exclusion, bullying, and long-lasting harm.

What can schools do?

Schools have an important role in preventing and responding to harm caused by confessions pages. Some steps include:

• Educate students: Talk about the risks of anonymous online spaces and why sharing harmful content causes real damage.
• Set clear rules: School policies should include expectations about online behaviour and address harmful digital activity.
• Support affected students and staff: Provide safe ways to report incidents and offer wellbeing support to those targeted.
• Encourage reporting: Make sure students know they can come to trusted adults or contact Netsafe if they are harmed by a confessions page.
• Work with whānau: Share information with families so they can talk about the risks and harms of confessions pages at home.

By building awareness and taking action, schools can help create safer online and offline spaces for everyone in the school community.

Need help?

If your school, students, or staff are experiencing issues with ‘ship or dip’ or other online harm, Netsafe can help. We provide free, confidential, and non-judgemental advice.

Contact us:

• Phone (toll free) 0508 NETSAFE (0508 638 723)(tel:0508638723)
• Email [email protected](mailto:[email protected])
• Report online at report.netsafe.org.nz(https://report.netsafe.org.nz/hc/en-au)
• Text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282Text ‘Netsafe’ to 4282(sms:4282?body=Netsafe)