A father in the French capital recently caused tension in a preschool WhatsApp group by threatening legal action over photos of him with his wife and daughter that were shared among parents. According to Nolwenn, a mother of two, the father cited the civil code and claimed he had reported the incident to the school principal, even threatening to escalate it to the regional education inspector. His actions led to frustration among other parents, some of whom commented that he should have more important matters to attend to. Although the photos were eventually removed, the father republished his threats, causing unnecessary alarm. WhatsApp groups have become a common tool for communication in French schools, especially since the pandemic. These groups are used to share reminders, organize events, and provide information, serving as a form of mutual support among parents. Najat Algadoum of the FCPE 92, a parents' association, noted that while these groups are useful, they can also lead to concerns. Marie Tamboura, a principal in Montreuil, pointed out that they can be a way for parents to voice concerns they might not otherwise bring up. However, she also warned of risks, such as the spread of misinformation, which can lead to unnecessary panic, like a false claim that a student was missing. Some parents have criticized the strict rules governing these groups. Nolwenn, for instance, found it absurd that her school’s group forbade discussing homework, which she felt was impractical. She also expressed discomfort with birthday invitations, calling them intrusive and unnecessary. Christelle, a mother in Val-d’Oise, felt these groups were largely redundant, as she believed the same information was already available through emails and school applications. According to a 2023 Ifop/Lemon study, 20% of WhatsApp groups are sources of the most dissatisfaction among users. Many feel pressured to respond to messages, with 58% disturbed by the sheer volume of messages and six out of ten parents turning off notifications. Marie Després-Lonnet, a professor in information and communication sciences, explained that these groups can create strong expectations for parents to be active and engaged, sometimes at inconvenient times. In some groups, tensions have led to the formation of factions. Clémentine, a mother in Pantin, described a situation where a parent's criticism of a teacher's methods caused a split in the group. Another parent's strong reaction led to two opposing sides, resulting in heated and endless discussions. Florence Comte, an elementary school director, warned that these groups can magnify minor issues, making them seem more serious than they are. Sophie, a parent in Puteaux, recalled instances where comments about a teacher's absence led to speculation and unkind remarks. Laurent Zameczkowski of the Federation of Parents of Students in the Public Education (Peep) warned against WhatsApp groups becoming a form of school "militia" or people's court. He cited an example where a parent accused a nursery staff member of inappropriate behavior, leading to threats and the eventual closure of the group. To address these concerns, Bélinda Borsali of the FCPE in Seine-et-Marne has introduced a code of conduct for WhatsApp groups. The rules include no messages after 10 p.m., no defamation, and no unverified information. Violations can lead to exclusion from the group.