---
title: Sending and Receiving Chat Messages
description: Learn how to use moderated chat in SchoolSpace to send messages to everyone or directly to your friends.
---

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# Sending and Receiving Chat Messages

## How to Use Chat on SchoolSpace

| This article is all about using text chat on SchoolSpace. You'll learn all the different chat types, how to find each type of chat, and how to send a message. |
| --- |

Keep reading to learn how to:

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)[Open Chat](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#use-chat)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)

[Enable or Disable Chat Notifications](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#chat-notifications)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)

[Send a One-on-One Direct Message](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#dm-from-messages)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)

[Send a Group Direct Message](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#group-direct-message)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)

[Send a Message in a Chat Channel](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#chat-channels)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg) [Ask a Moderator Chat](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#ask-a-moderator)

 

---

 

### How Does Chat Work in SchoolSpace?

SchoolSpace has multiple types of text chat: 

- Chat Channels
- Ask a Moderator
- Direct Messages<https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#direct-messages>

These different types of chats will be session-based, zone-based, or user-based.

**Session-based chats** will only be visible while you are in the world. If you refresh or move to a different world, you will not see any previous chat messages. All Chat Channels are session-based.

**Zone-based chats** will only be available for you to use when you are in a specific part of the world. The Private Zone Channel is zone-based.

**User-based chats** are persistent and will follow you from one world to another. You can also access these chats from the SchoolSpace Dashboard. All One-on-One and Group Direct Messages are user-based.

[Message history](https://support.schoolspace.io/moderation-handbook?hsLang=en#message-history) for all chats is visible to Moderators and Managers of the world in Dashboard.

 

---

 

### How do I use Chat?

##### To Open Chat:

1. Click **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar
2. This will open a drawer on the left side of your browser with a list of all the chat options available in the world, including channel messages, ask a moderator chat, and direct messages

#### Send Emojis!

All types of chat support emojis! 

| **To Send Emojis on Mac:** | **To Send Emojis on Windows:** |
| --- | --- |
| 1. In a chat message text field, press Control + Command + Space at the same time 2. Use your mouse to click on the desired emoji, or type to search for an emoji 3. Click the emoji to add it to your message | 1. In a chat message text field, press the Windows key and the period (.) or semicolon (;) key at the same time 2. Use your mouse to click on the desired emoji, or type to search for an emoji 3. Click the emoji to add it to your message |

If you send a single emoji in a [chat channel](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#chat-channels) (like 'Everyone in World' or 'People Connected to Me') you’ll see the emoji appear above your avatar like an emote!

 

#### New Message Alerts

When you receive a new message, you’ll hear a notification ping and you’ll see a small red dot on the **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** icon. Inside the message drawer, Channels or Direct Messages with new or unread messages will also be marked with a small red dot. You’ll only hear the notification ping for the first new message in a channel or direct message. Any additional new messages will be delivered quietly.

##### To Enable or Disable Notifications:

1. Click **My Account** at the top of the left sidebar
2. Under **Social Alerts:** 
     - **Toggle On** to receive notifications
     - **Toggle Off** to silence notification

 

---

 

### One-on-One and Group Direct Messages

Direct messages allow you to send a message to one or more people. These messages are persistent, so if you leave the world you can keep the conversation going the next time you log in. Messages sent as one on one or group direct messages are not visible in the [Chat Channels](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#chat-channels).

There are several ways you can send a Direct Message. You can send a message from:

- **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar. You can also send [Group Direct Messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#group-dm-from-messages) from here.
- The [Current Users](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#send-one-on-one-dm-from-current-users-list) list in the [Users Menu](https://support.schoolspace.io/users-menu?hsLang=en)
- The [video tile](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#dm-from-video-tile) of a person you are connected with over audio and video
- Another user’s [profile](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#dm-from-profile)
- Your [Friends](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#dm-from-friends-list) list in **Social Hub ![connections](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/connections.svg)** on the left sidebar

Direct Messages (DMs) can be turned off for a school or world. If you don’t see this feature, your school may have it disabled. Managers can [disable or enable Direct Messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/moderation-handbook?hsLang=en#message-controls).

#### Sending One-on-One Direct Messages

##### From Messages:

1. Click **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar. This will open a drawer on the left side of your browser.
2. Click the **Direct Messages** tab at the top of the drawer
3. Click the **Plus ![plus](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/plus.svg)** sign
4. Find your friend by typing their name into the ![filter](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/filter.svg) **Filter Results** field or scroll to find them on the list
5. Click on their name to open a **Direct Message** chat.
6. Type your message in the chat and press **Enter** or click the **Send ![send](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/send.svg)** icon to send your message!

 

##### From the Current Users list:

1. Click the floating [Users Menu](https://support.schoolspace.io/users-menu?hsLang=en) ![currentUsers](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/currentUsers.svg) button on the right side of your screen. This will open a menu on the right side of your browser.
   
   | ![Users Menu Button](https://support.schoolspace.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Users%20Menu%20Button.png?width=100&height=101&name=Users%20Menu%20Button.png) |
   | --- |
2. Find the person you want to message in the **Current Users** tab. You can scroll or search for them by name in ![filter](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/filter.svg) **Filter Results.**
   
   | ![Users Menu - Current Users Tab - Student Non Admin](https://support.schoolspace.io/hs-fs/hubfs/Users%20Menu%20-%20Current%20Users%20Tab%20-%20Student%20Non%20Admin.png?width=300&height=347&name=Users%20Menu%20-%20Current%20Users%20Tab%20-%20Student%20Non%20Admin.png) |
   | --- |
3. Click their **name** and select ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/messages.svg) **Send Message.**
4. Type your message in the chat and press **Enter** or click the **Send ![send](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/send.svg)**  icon to send your message!

 

##### From Someone’s Video Tile:

1. Walk close to the person so you are connected over video chat.
2. Click their **name** on their video tile.
3. Click ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg) **Send Message** to open a **Direct Message** chat.
4. Type your message in the chat and press **Enter** or click the **Send ![send](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/send.svg)**  icon to send your message!

 

##### From Someone’s Profile:

1. Open the person’s profile from any of the following locations: 
     - On their video tile, click their **name** → ![profile](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/profile.svg) **View Profile.**
     - The **Current Users** list in the [Users Menu](https://support.schoolspace.io/users-menu?hsLang=en), click their **name** → ![profile](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/profile.svg) **View Profile.**
     - Your **Friends** list in **Social Hub** ![connections](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/connections.svg) , click their **name** → ![profile](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/profile.svg) **View Profile.**
2. Click ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/messages.svg) **Send Message** to open a Direct Message chat.
3. Type your message in the chat and press **Enter** or click the **Send ![send](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/send.svg)** icon to send your message!

 

##### From your Friends list:

1. Click **Social Hub ![connections](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/connections.svg)** in the left sidebar → **Friends**
2. Find your friend by typing their name in ![filter](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/filter.svg) **Filter Results** or scroll to find them on the list
3. Click their **name** → ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg) **Send Message** to open a Direct Message chat
4. Type your message in the chat and press **Enter** or click the **Send ![send](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/send.svg)** icon to send your message!

 

##### To Hide a Direct Message:

1. Click **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar. This will open a drawer on the left side of your browser.
2. Click the **Direct Messages** tab at the top of the drawer
3. Scroll or search for the Direct Message and click to select
4. At the top of the chat, click the **three dot menu ![ellipsis](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/ellipsis.svg)** button → ![preview Off](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/preview%20Off.svg) **Hide Chat**

You can use ![preview Off](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/preview%20Off.svg) **Hide Chat** to clean up your Direct Messages view. Hiding a Direct Message will only remove it from your view. If you or the chat member(s) send another message, it will reappear for you. 

 

#### Sending Group Direct Messages

##### From Messages:

1. Click **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar. This will open a drawer on the left side of your browser.
2. Click the **Direct Messages** tab at the top of the drawer
3. Click the **Plus ![plus](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/plus.svg)** sign
4. Click ![messageGroup](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messageGroup.svg) **New Group**
5. Find your friends by typing their name in ![filter](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/filter.svg) **Filter Results** and clicking to add them to the group
6. Type your message in the chat and press enter or click the **Send ![send](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/send.svg)** icon to send your message!

 

##### To Add Someone to an Existing Group Direct Message:

1. Click **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar. This will open a drawer on the left side of your browser.
2. Click the **Direct Messages** tab at the top of the drawer
3. Scroll or search in ![filter](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/filter.svg) **Filter Results** and click to select
4. At the top of the chat, click the **menu ![ellipsis](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/ellipsis.svg)** button → ![plus](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/plus.svg) **Add Participants**
5. Scroll or search for the person you want to add
6. Click their name → Click **Add to Group**

 

##### To Remove Someone from a Group Direct Message:

1. Click **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar. This will open a drawer on the left side of your browser.
2. Click the **Direct Messages** tab at the top of the drawer
3. Scroll or search in ![filter](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/filter.svg) **Filter Results** and click to select
4. At the top of the chat, click the **menu ![ellipsis](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/ellipsis.svg)** button → ![info](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/info.svg) **Group Details**
5. Click the **Remove ![remove](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/remove.svg)** button next to the person’s name to remove them from the group message.

 

##### To Close a Group Message:

1. Click **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** in the left sidebar. This will open a drawer on the left side of your browser.
2. Click the **Direct Messages** tab at the top of the drawer
3. Scroll or search in ![filter](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/filter.svg) **Filter Results** and click to select
4. At the top of the chat, click the **menu ![ellipsis](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/ellipsis.svg)** button → ![leaveWorld](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/leaveWorld.svg) **Exit and Close Group**
5. A popup will appear asking you to confirm closing the group. Click **Exit and Close Group** to close or **Cancel** if you want to keep the chat going.

 

---

 

### Chat Channels in SchoolSpace

Chat Channels help you connect with the right people in the best way. There are several Chat Channels in SchoolSpace:

- [Everyone in World](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#everyone-in-world-channel)
- [People Connected to Me](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#people-connected-to-me-channel)
- [Private Zone Channel](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#private-zone-channel)
- [Moderators in World](https://support.schoolspace.io/sending-and-receiving-chat-messages#moderators-in-world-channel)

Depending on your school’s settings, you might see some or all of these chat channels.

Managers can [disable or enable all Chat Channels](https://support.schoolspace.io/control-messaging?hsLang=en) with the exception of Moderators in World.

 

##### To Send a Message in a Chat Channel:

1. Click the **Messages ![messages](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/messages.svg)** icon in the left sidebar.
2. Click the **chat channel** you want to use (e.g. Everyone in the World).
3. Type your message and press **Enter** or click **Send ![send](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/send.svg).**

 

#### Everyone in World

This chat is open to everyone currently in the world. It’s **session-based**, which means the messages are only seen by the people who are currently in the world and disappear when you leave the world or refresh the page.

Great for:

- Group announcements
- Starting a large conversation with anyone in the world
- Sharing a poll or survey

 

#### People Connected to Me

This channel only includes **users you're actively connected to** via audio and video. The people you can message will change as you move around the world and connect to different people. All messages will disappear from your view when you leave or refresh the world.

Great for:

- Quick text chat with people near you
- Coordinating with a small group during an activity

If you walk away from people you were connected to and messaging with, you will still see messages you’ve previously sent or received in this channel.

 

#### Private Zone

When you're in a private zone (like a small group room or club space), you may see a chat just for that area. This channel is **session-based** so messages stay only as long as you’re in the world. It is also **zone-based** so the channel is specific to each individual private zone. Meaning you will only be able to send messages to this channel when you are in a private zone and you will not receive messages if you have left a private zone. 

Great for:

- Private small group conversations
- Club or group-specific messages

You will still see messages you have previously sent or received in the Private Zone channel if you are no longer in a Private Zone. If you have entered a different Private Zone, you will also see messages you have previously sent or received in other Private Zones.

#### Moderators in World

If you're a world moderator, you’ll have access to a chat just for moderators. This is **session-based** and only visible to active moderators in the world.

Great for:

- Behind-the-scenes coordination
- Supporting students quietly

Moderators in World cannot be removed from the chat channel options.

 

---

### Ask a Moderator Chat

The Ask a Moderator chat allows students to send questions directly to all moderators while inside a world.

When a student submits a question, it is visible to all moderators. If a moderator begins typing a response, other moderators will see a typing indicator, helping prevent multiple moderators from responding to the same question.

If no moderators are currently available, students will see a configurable default message indicating that moderators are unavailable.

All moderator responses are displayed under a unified "Moderator" identity, providing students with a simple and consistent support experience.

This feature can be enabled on a per-world basis from the Messaging section of the world settings.

 

---

 

### Understanding Chat Settings and Limits

Here’s what to keep in mind about chat in SchoolSpace:

| **Settings and Limits** | **Details** |
| --- | --- |
| **No attachments** | You can’t send files or upload images through chat. |
| --- |  |
| **Students can't send links** | Moderators and World Admins can send links in chat. |
| --- |  |
| **Direct Messages can be received and accessed in different worlds** | Direct Messaging is a persistent chat. If Direct Messaging is available in a world, you can open the same direct message thread and see the full conversation regardless of what world you were in when the messages were sent. |
| --- |  |
| **Channel Messages are world and session specific** | Channel Messages are session-based chats and clear when you leave or refresh the world. |
| --- |  |
| **Hiding a chat, exiting and closing a group chat, or deleting a message only changes your view** | Teachers or school staff with access to [message history](https://support.schoolspace.io/moderation-handbook?hsLang=en#message-history) will still be able to see all the messages you’ve sent even if you’ve hidden a 1:1 direct message, closed a group chat, or deleted a message for you. |
| --- |  |
| **Chat settings are controlled by your school** | Availability of certain chat functionality is determined by the school. Schools can [enable or disable chat](https://support.schoolspace.io/control-messaging?hsLang=en) in some, all, or none of their worlds. |
| --- |  |
| **Silent Mode disables all chat** | If chat is normally available in a world, it will be made available again when [Silent Mode](https://support.schoolspace.io/chaperone-mode-and-silent-mode?hsLang=en) is turned off. |
| --- |  |
| **Blocking a user prevents chat** | If you’ve [blocked another user](https://support.schoolspace.io/student-safety-guide?hsLang=en#block), you will not see any chat messages from that user. The blocked user will also not see any chat messages from you. This includes all types of chat: direct messages, group messages, and channel messages. |
| --- |  |
| **Some words and symbols are banned** | Inappropriate language or symbols cannot be sent as messages. You’ll see an error message if you try to send a message with a word or symbol on the banned list. |

 

---

 

### Keep Learning!

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)[Video Chat](https://support.schoolspace.io/video-chat?hsLang=en)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)

[Student Safety Guide](https://support.schoolspace.io/student-safety-guide?hsLang=en)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)

[Moderation Handbook](https://support.schoolspace.io/moderation-handbook?hsLang=en)

![circleCheck](https://support.schoolspace.io/hubfs/Latest%20UI%20Icons%20-%202025/circleCheck.svg)

[SchoolSpace Roles and Permissions](https://support.schoolspace.io/schoolspace-roles-and-permissions?hsLang=en)

- [Getting Started](https://support.schoolspace.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Overview of SchoolSpace](https://support.schoolspace.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#overview-of-schoolspace)
    - [Your First Time in SchoolSpace: What to Expect](https://support.schoolspace.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#your-first-time-in-schoolspace-what-to-expect)
    - [Best Practices for Success in SchoolSpace](https://support.schoolspace.io/getting-started?hsLang=en#best-practices-for-success-in-schoolspace)
- [Setup, Safety, and Insights](https://support.schoolspace.io/setup-safety-and-insights?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Your SchoolSpace World: The Basics](https://support.schoolspace.io/setup-safety-and-insights?hsLang=en#your-schoolspace-world-the-basics)
    - [Safety, Security, and Moderation on SchoolSpace](https://support.schoolspace.io/setup-safety-and-insights?hsLang=en#safety-security-and-moderation-on-schoolspace)
    - [Your SchoolSpace Dashboard](https://support.schoolspace.io/setup-safety-and-insights?hsLang=en#your-schoolspace-dashboard)
    - [Integrations](https://support.schoolspace.io/setup-safety-and-insights?hsLang=en#integrations)
- [Navigating SchoolSpace](https://support.schoolspace.io/navigating-schoolspace?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Exploring the Virtual World](https://support.schoolspace.io/navigating-schoolspace?hsLang=en#exploring-the-virtual-world)
    - [Communicating on SchoolSpace](https://support.schoolspace.io/navigating-schoolspace?hsLang=en#communicating-on-schoolspace)
    - [Building Community: Safe Social Tools](https://support.schoolspace.io/navigating-schoolspace?hsLang=en#building-community-safe-social-tools)
- [Customizing SchoolSpace](https://support.schoolspace.io/customizing-schoolspace?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Builder Mode](https://support.schoolspace.io/customizing-schoolspace?hsLang=en#builder-mode)
    - [Designing and Personalizing a World](https://support.schoolspace.io/customizing-schoolspace?hsLang=en#designing-and-personalizing-a-world)
    - [Making the World Interactive](https://support.schoolspace.io/customizing-schoolspace?hsLang=en#making-the-world-interactive)
    - [Custom Settings & Controls](https://support.schoolspace.io/customizing-schoolspace?hsLang=en#custom-settings-controls)
- [Using SchoolSpace for Learning](https://support.schoolspace.io/using-schoolspace-for-learning?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [SchoolSpace for Live Instruction](https://support.schoolspace.io/using-schoolspace-for-learning?hsLang=en#schoolspace-for-live-instruction)
    - [SchoolSpace for Student Life and School Community](https://support.schoolspace.io/using-schoolspace-for-learning?hsLang=en#schoolspace-for-student-life-and-school-community)
- [Games, Apps, and Experiences](https://support.schoolspace.io/games-apps-and-experiences?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [Adding a Game or App to your World](https://support.schoolspace.io/games-apps-and-experiences?hsLang=en#adding-a-game-or-app-to-your-world)
    - [Our Games & Experiences](https://support.schoolspace.io/games-apps-and-experiences?hsLang=en#our-games-experiences)
- [Need Help?](https://support.schoolspace.io/need-help?hsLang=en#main-content)

    - [What's New in SchoolSpace](https://support.schoolspace.io/need-help?hsLang=en#whats-new-in-schoolspace)
    - [Common Problems and Solutions](https://support.schoolspace.io/need-help?hsLang=en#common-problems-and-solutions)
    - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://support.schoolspace.io/need-help?hsLang=en#frequently-asked-questions)

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Go to [schoolspace.io](https://schoolspace.io/)

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