In a bid to capture the attention of children under 13, Facebook recently launched Messenger Kids—a version of its messenger app designed specifically for younger users. With the intention of competing with platforms like Snapchat and popular YouTube channels, Facebook aims to provide a “kid-friendly” communication tool. However, before allowing your child to use this app, there are several important points to consider.
A group of over 100 child development professionals and advocates has expressed serious concerns regarding the app, urging Facebook to reconsider its launch. Their letter highlights that younger children often lack the maturity needed to navigate the complexities of social media, which can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts—even among older users.
How Does Messenger Kids Function?
This standalone application is available for download on various devices, including smartphones and tablets. It operates under a parent’s Facebook account, allowing children to video chat and message friends and family, albeit with parental oversight. Kids can only add contacts with parental approval, which aims to foster a safer online environment.
When creating a profile for your child, you’ll need to enter their full name—this alone might raise eyebrows for some parents. If you have multiple children, you can create separate profiles for each one. This setup helps connect kids with approved contacts while ensuring that all friend requests require adult approval.
Advertising and Data Collection Concerns
One of the more appealing aspects of Messenger Kids is that it does not include advertisements or in-app purchases. Loren Cheng, the product director for the app, has stated that Facebook will not use any data collected from children for marketing purposes. However, this promise is not set in stone, and the app may still allow for targeted ads based on the interactions of the adults connected to the child.
Data collection is another area of concern. Messenger Kids is still a product of Facebook, which means it gathers and stores various information about users, including your child’s interactions, messages, and multimedia content. The fine print of the app’s privacy policy reveals that Facebook will collect your child’s full name, texts, audio, and video content, as well as details about their interactions. This data could be archived indefinitely and possibly used in the future.
Moreover, if a parent decides to deactivate their child’s Messenger Kids account, the content shared may still be visible to others. This raises questions about privacy and the permanence of the child’s digital footprint, which many experts believe could have lasting implications.
Previous Backlash and Future Implications
Last year, Facebook faced significant backlash for violating privacy regulations in Europe, which only adds to the concerns surrounding Messenger Kids. James Holland, CEO of a children’s media advocacy group, has urged Facebook to commit to keeping the app free from advertisements and to avoid using it as a gateway to create adult accounts later on.
Facebook has claimed that extensive research went into the development of Messenger Kids, including feedback from parents and educators. Yet, one must wonder if this app is genuinely for the safety of children or simply a strategy to cultivate a new generation of Facebook users.
Final Thoughts
In light of these considerations, some parents might prefer to avoid a platform that can potentially document their child’s formative years through digital interactions. For additional insights on parenting and home insemination, check out our other blog posts at Intracervical Insemination Blog. For more resources on artificial insemination, visit Make a Mom. Additionally, Facts About Fertility is an excellent source for pregnancy and fertility information.
In summary, while Messenger Kids may appear to offer a safe space for children to communicate with family and friends, the potential implications for privacy and data collection warrant careful consideration. Parents should weigh the pros and cons before introducing their kids to this new platform.