Messenger kids download#
Messenger kids free#

In theory, your kids' data could follow them to Instagram, WhatsApp, and other Facebook products throughout their entire lives. Exactly what happens to that data and how secure it is is anyone's guess, as Facebook shares data across its different platforms and says it uses all data, including kids', to improve its products. Facebook's privacy policy states that it collects and stores the content of the messages sent by kids and also monitors their app usage (like whom they contact most). Though there are no ads or purchases, Facebook may send kids surveys to respond to. Is my kids' data safe on Messenger Kids? Is mine? But with careful parental setup and oversight - and limited amounts of time spent using it - it can be a fun way for younger kids to connect with family and friends. Though Facebook designed the app for kids age 6–12, based on privacy best practices and overall recommendations for social media use, we've rated Facebook Messenger Kids for age 13+ for independent use. Kids can say or show anything they want to (and you won't be able to review it), unless you're around to keep an eye on things. One thing you have no control over or insight into is video chats. The Facebook app offers a few more controls in the Dashboard, such as the ability to turn your kid's online status on and off, than the desktop version. You can also enable Sleep mode, which prevents kids from using the app during set times. How do I set parental controls on Messenger Kids?įacebook gives you a Parent Dashboard in your Facebook account (click or tap the Messenger icon and then your kid's name), where you can view almost everything you want to see (kids can't delete anything they do, so you have access to all of it), including a list of recent contacts, recent images and videos shared in chats, a chat history, and a list of reported and blocked contacts. They can also create group chats (which you don't need to approve) and make video calls. They can add filters, similar to Snapchat, and spend lots of time decorating photos and videos, playing with filters, and drawing things to send to friends. Once they have contacts, kids can send text, photos, videos, audio files, and GIFs. Kids can use the app either on their own device or on yours, but remember: If kids use Messenger Kids on your phone, they'll have access to all the photos and videos on your device. To create your kid's profile, you add their name (it can be a nickname), provide an image (which can be anything), and choose whether to add their gender and birth date. Supervised Friending also allows for more visibility within the app to help kids find friends more easily.

Messenger kids download#

Once you download the Messenger Kids app and log in, you can add contacts for your kid through your own account or opt into the Supervised Friending feature, which lets kids choose their own contacts (you still get notified of new contacts your kid adds). Parents must have their own Facebook account to set up Messenger Kids. Unlike grown-up Messenger, Kids doesn't have stories (picture collages uploaded by friends), but it does offer many more photo filters (unicorns, aliens, stinky fish), and it has a few games. It works a lot like regular Facebook Messenger, but parents are the gatekeepers: You manage all the settings (such as notifications) through the Messenger Kids module in your Facebook account.

Messenger kids free#

Messenger Kids is a free messaging app created by Facebook aimed at kids under 13. How can my kid use Messenger Kids safely? What is Messenger Kids? What are the alternatives to Messenger Kids? Is my kids' data safe on Messenger Kids? Is mine?Ĭan a stranger contact my kid on Messenger Kids?

How do I set parental controls on Messenger Kids? Learn more about the pros and cons of Messenger Kids to determine whether it's right for your kid. While Messenger Kids can be used safely (parents can see everything kids do, control their settings, and even remotely shut down the app), Facebook does collect user data, and the company clearly has a big stake in training young users for grown-up social media. What they really want is Instagram and Snapchat so they can act just like the big kids. Facebook's Messenger Kids is social media for kids who've outgrown toy smartphones but aren't quite ready for the real thing.