The Dangers of Relying on Facebook Groups for Universities

Universities have long depended on Facebook Groups to communicate with students, create a sense of belonging, and host their communities. But these spaces are no longer safe or reliable. Without effective moderation, Facebook Groups allow harmful content—such as misinformation, hate speech, and harassment—to go unchecked.

In 2025, Meta announced it would no longer employ fact-checkers on its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. This decision has been heavily criticized for opening the floodgates to unchecked misinformation and hate speech. For vulnerable populations, including university students, this lack of oversight is especially harmful.

For institutions focused on inclusivity and safety, this is a major concern. Not only do these platforms fail to align with university values, but managing student communities on them also places an increasing burden on staff. With little control over how content is moderated or shared, universities are forced to invest more time and resources into damage control rather than proactive community-building.

This creates a perfect storm: higher effort for institutions, lower trust from students, and an unsafe digital space for engagement.

Some Universities Are Already Taking Action—but Is It Too Late?

The shift away from traditional social media is already underway. Universities such as Cambridge, Oxford colleges, and other prominent institutions in the UK have begun to step back from platforms like Facebook and rethink their digital strategies.

However, many institutions are still heavily reliant on Facebook Groups to manage student interactions. This dependence is especially dangerous because these groups lack meaningful moderation, putting universities at risk of failing to meet student expectations for safety, inclusivity, and trust.

The Further Risks of Staying on Traditional Platforms

Continuing to rely on platforms like Meta’s Facebook Groups comes with significant risks for universities in the long run:

• Misinformation and Distrust: Without fact-checkers, false information spreads unchecked, eroding trust between institutions and their students.
• Higher Effort for Staff: Managing student communities on these platforms requires constant oversight, leaving staff with more work and fewer results.
• Unsafe Environments: Hostile and harmful content can alienate students and damage a university’s reputation.
• Misaligned Goals: Facebook’s profit-driven algorithms prioritize engagement over safety, leaving universities unable to align their online spaces with their values.

For today’s generation of students—who value inclusivity, authenticity, and transparency—these risks are unacceptable. Universities need a better way to build digital spaces that reflect their core values.

Now Is the Time for Universities to Implement Dedicated Student Communities

The recent developments with Meta serve as a wake-up call, highlighting the urgent need for universities to reevaluate their digital strategies. Institutions now have both an opportunity and a responsibility to create spaces that genuinely serve their students by prioritizing safety, connection, and alignment with the values of higher education.

As social media giants increasingly shift away from safety and trust, platforms like Goin’ are stepping in to fill the gap. Designed specifically for universities, Goin’ provides a secure, inclusive, and student-focused environment that builds meaningful connections.

Already trusted by over 100 universities globally, Goin’ offers a purpose-built solution that empowers institutions to safeguard their online communities while reducing the effort required to manage them.

Some of the many features include:

• Flagging and Reporting System: Students can easily report inappropriate behavior, empowering them to maintain a respectful environment while Goin’ moderators swiftly address flagged content.
• Toxicity Filters: Advanced AI automatically detects and blocks harmful or explicit language, ensuring safe and respectful interactions.
• 24/7 Community Management: A dedicated moderation team oversees community activity, providing continuous support and maintaining a positive digital space.

You can read more about Goin’s many features here.

Easily Transform Your Community with Goin’

Transitioning from traditional resources may seem challenging, but Goin’ makes the process seamless and effortless. With a dedicated team handling setup and customizing the platform to meet your university’s specific needs, you can begin hosting your student community immediately. It's student-centric, social media-inspired design ensures quick adoption by both students and staff with minimal effort.

Trusted by more than 100 universities worldwide, Goin’ has proven to reduce staff workload, foster safer spaces, and build vibrant, inclusive student communities. It’s a truly zero-effort solution that delivers real results.

Now is the perfect time to move beyond outdated platforms and embrace a purpose-built solution that reflects your institution’s values.