
The Messenger Kids app is designed for kids aged 6-12, allowing them to have a safe and controlled messaging experience.
The app is free to download and does not require a Facebook account to use.
To create a Messenger Kids account, parents need to download the app and create a child's account, then add their child's Facebook parent to the account.
Parents can control their child's experience, including who their child can talk to, by approving each friend request and seeing the conversations their child has.
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Pros and Cons
The Messenger Kids app has its advantages and disadvantages. Parents can easily and securely register their child's device by signing in to their own Facebook account and providing their child's name.
One of the biggest pros is the parental controls. Parents must approve their child's contact list one by one, and can remove any troublesome contacts at any time. This gives parents complete control over who their child is interacting with.
The app is also free, without ads or in-app purchases, making it a great option for kids.
Where We Excel

We excel in providing a simplified interface that's perfect for kids. The Messenger Kids app has a purple theme and friendly, large icons and buttons.
Parents love the parental oversight feature, which requires them to approve specific friends before their child can message with them. This ensures kids are only chatting with trusted contacts.
Kids adore the Snapchat-style live video masks, which are also available in regular Messenger. These masks are a big hit with kids, and they love using them.
One of the best things about Messenger Kids is that it's not Facebook. This means there's no endless feed, and posts won't be seen by everybody your kid knows.
Where Falls Short
Messenger Kids may seem like a safe alternative for kids, but it has its limitations. The app is designed for younger children, but it can still lead to problems like gossip, exclusion, and bullying.
Parents who aren't familiar with modern messaging apps might be surprised by how often chats involve many people at once. This can lead to the same issues that arise on social media, but on a smaller scale.

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and other organizations have spoken out against Messenger Kids, arguing that younger children aren't ready for social media accounts. They point out that kids under 13 lack the maturity to navigate online relationships and understand privacy.
The app's design, meant to be appealing to younger children, might actually be a drawback. It's unlikely to attract kids who already use social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram.
Facebook claims that Messenger Kids is a safe alternative for kids who have lied their way onto adult platforms. However, this might not be the case, as the app is more appealing to kids who wouldn't have social media accounts otherwise.
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Features and Functionality
The Messenger Kids app has some great features that make it a safe and fun space for kids to communicate with their friends and family. Parents have control over who their child can contact, and they can even review recent interactions, photos sent, and chat histories.
Parents can set up the app through their own Facebook account, which is a convenient feature. They can also control their child's online status and set sleep mode, where the app can't be accessed during certain times. This helps parents ensure their child's digital well-being.
Here are some of the core features of the app:
- Children can send messages to their contacts, including text, photos, voice recordings, stickers, GIFs, and emojis.
- Children can video call others on their contact list, either individually or in groups.
- The app has no advertising.
- There are no in-app purchases.
Features of
Features of Messenger Kids include parent controls and contacts, which allow parents to set up the app, control the list of contacts, and approve their child's contacts. Parents can also see which of their Facebook friends also have children using the app.
Parents can review recent interactions, photos sent, and chat histories. They can also set online status and sleep mode, where the app can't be accessed during certain times.
Children can send messages to their contacts, which can include text, photos, voice recordings, stickers, GIFs, and emojis. They can also video call others on their contact list.
There is no advertising in Messenger Kids, and no in-app purchases are available. Children can also engage in fun activities like growing a pet or playing games.
Here are some of the key features of Messenger Kids:
- Parent controls and contacts
- Message sending capabilities (text, photos, voice recordings, stickers, GIFs, and emojis)
- Video call capabilities
- No advertising
- No in-app purchases
Parents can set usage limits when it's bedtime, and there are no in-app purchases or ads.
Can Bark Monitor Messenger Kids?
Bark can monitor text chats on Messenger Kids on Android devices, but unfortunately, it doesn't have monitoring capabilities on iOS devices.
On Android devices, parents have access to every message sent and received on Messenger Kids, as kids are not allowed to delete chats. This gives parents greater agency over their child's activity on the app.
Messenger Kids is actually a chatting app that Bark recommends, as it offers parents more control over their child's online activity.
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Data and Security
The Messenger Kids app has a strong focus on data and security.
Parental controls are built into the app, allowing parents to decide who their child can interact with and what type of content they can access.
The app doesn't allow children to share their phone number or email address with other users.
Messenger Kids also has a feature that allows parents to review their child's conversations, including who they're talking to and what they're saying.
Children can't request or send money to other users, which helps prevent financial scams.
The app is designed to be safe and secure, with a team of experts working to ensure that it meets the highest standards of data protection and safety.
Reviews and Ratings
Experts at Common Sense Media have reviewed the Messenger Kids app and found that it appeals to kids, but also collects their data.
Parents have shared their thoughts on the app, with 12 reviews available to read.
Kids, on the other hand, have a lot to say, with 47 reviews from young users.
Here's a breakdown of the parent and kid reviews:
Specifications and Details
The Messenger Kids app is designed with kid-friendly features in mind. It has kid-friendly filters, reactions, and sound effects that make video chats with friends and family more enjoyable.
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Stickers, GIFs, emojis, and drawing tools give kids more creative ways to express themselves. This variety of tools can be a fun way for kids to add some personality to their messages.
We know that parents want to have control over what their kids are using, so Messenger Kids is made for kids, controlled by parents. This means that parents can have peace of mind knowing that their kids are using a safe and kid-friendly app.
My Verdict
I think it's worth considering the Messenger Kids app, even if it means dealing with social complexities. We're running a huge experiment with our children by introducing online platforms, and we haven't had enough time to see how it affects them.
Kids today have much less opportunity for independent social interactions outside of school, so it's essential to teach them social media literacy in a controlled environment. This can be done through the Messenger Kids app.
Parents can manage their kids' contact list and monitor messages on the app, which is a huge advantage. When kids block contacts, parents are notified, giving them peace of mind.
The app can be a fun and safe way for kids to chat with friends, and it's worth the potential risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up Kids messenger for my child?
To set up Messenger Kids for your child, open the Facebook app, tap your profile picture, and follow the on-screen instructions to create a new account. This will guide you through the simple process of setting up a safe and controlled messaging experience for your child.
What is the difference between Kids messenger and messenger?
Messenger Kids is designed with parental oversight and child safety in mind, lacking in-app purchases and ads, while Messenger is a standard messaging app with more features and ads. This difference makes Messenger Kids a safer choice for kids, but may limit its functionality.
Does a parent need Facebook for Messenger Kids?
No, a parent does not need a Facebook account to sign up for Messenger Kids. A parent or guardian can create a Messenger Kids account directly for their child.
What happens to Messenger Kids when you turn 13?
When you turn 13, Messenger Kids will no longer automatically create a Facebook profile for you. You can still customize your notification settings to control who can reach you.
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