It may have taken almost 3 years but Facebook is finally rolling out its Messenger Kids app outside of the US. There is no depth to the strange nature of the internet and it’s understandable to be worried about who your kids are talking to or what they’re doing online.
Facebook’s revamped Messenger Kids app may just be the answer to your concerns about your childs online activity. Starting today, parents in Malaysia will be able to download the app from the Apple App Store. The app will be available in the Google Play Store by the end of the week.
With schools closed and people practicing physical distancing, parents are turning to technology more than ever to help their kids connect with friends and family, and looking to do so in a parent- controlled way. Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app that helps kids connect with friends and family in a fun, parent-controlled space.
Made for Kids, Controlled by Parents
Messenger Kids is full of features for kids to connect with the people they love. Once their account is set up by a parent, kids can start a one-on-one or group video chat. Other notable aspects include:
- Playful masks, emojis and sound effects bring conversations to life.
- In addition to video chat, kids can send photos, videos or text messages to their parent-approved friends and adult relatives, who will receive the messages via their regular Messenger app.
- A library of kid-appropriate and specially chosen GIFs, frames, stickers, masks and drawing tools lets them decorate content and express their personalities.
Messenger Kids gives parents more control. Parents manage the contact list and have visibility into how their kids are using the app. As a parent, you can control your kids’ account through the Messenger Kids Parent Dashboard in their main Facebook iOS and Android app.
How to Get Started?
Every child account on Messenger Kids must be set up by a parent. For parents, setting your child up with a Messenger Kids account is done in four steps:
- Download: First, download the Messenger Kids app on your child’s device.
- Authenticate: Then, authenticate your child’s device using your own Facebook username and password. This will not create a Facebook account for your child or give them access to your Facebook account.
- Create an account: Finish the setup process by creating an account for your child, where you’ll provide their name and opt-in to any additional features.
- Add contacts: To add people to your child’s contact list, go to the Messenger Kids Parent Dashboard panel in your main Facebook app. To get there, click on “More” on the bottom right corner in your main Facebook app, and click “Messenger Kids” in the Explore section.
It’s that simple! Your kids are now ready to connect with their friends in a safe, controlled environment.
