What is Matrix?

Matrix ≈ Discord - tracking + end-to-end encryption (by default)

While not 100% discord, it does support many of the features of discord (text chat, audio chats, video chats). It is also federated, similarly to how Hexbear/lemmy is federated. You can sign up for a matrix.org account. Like email, there are many different apps that can be used with your matrix account, but the official one is Element, this is what I use.

How to join the space

#Hexbear:matrix.org is a public matrix space, so you are free to join from wherever your home server might be (typically matrix.org). A space is a collection of rooms, joining a space gives you easy access to a list of rooms to join. The Hexbear space is an official space managed and moderated by members of our community. You'll find the parenting channel inside this space!

If you have a matrix account, skip to step 2

1. Head to https://app.element.io/ and select "create account"
2. Once your account is created, click the space link above, or in the community sidebar, which takes you to the shared space page.
3. Find "Element" in the "Choose an app to continue" section and select "Continue".
4. The page will attempt to launch Element if you have it installed, and direct you to the room; otherwise, you can select "continue in browser" to open Element in your browser.
5. You will be prompted to join the channel in Element, click join, then you're in!

But why?

Real-time communication can be helpful when you're in the moment. The channel is configured to only show history from the moment you join, so there isn't a massive backlog of messages for someone to comb through the second they join. It's encrypted, and, while that doesn't mean too much when the room is public, it does mean the messages on the server side are secured.

Ultimately, I just want to offer many means of communication for parents here, and Matrix seems good to me.