Facebook is launching a new version of its chat app targeting children under 13 with strict parental controls including contact approvals.
The free app, called Messenger Kids, is expected to attract parents looking for a safe online chat service, with a greater level of parental control, child-friendly features, screened content and safety filters to prevent children sharing inappropriate content.
Messenger Kids is a standalone app installed on the child’s tablet or smartphone, but controlled from a parent’s Facebook account.
The child does not have a Facebook account, which is prohibited for those under 13; instead the app operates as an extension of the parent’s account.
Only parents have the ability to add friends or delete messages, reports The Guardian.
There are no adverts or in-app purchases and the social network said the child’s information will not be used for advertising purposes.
Facebook also said it will not automatically move users to the regular Messenger or Facebook when they get old enough, though the company may provide them the option to move contacts to Messenger down the line.
Children can start one-on-one or group video or text chats with approved contacts, sending videos, photos, gifs and other creative elements from a library of screened drawing tools, frames, gifs, masks and stickers.
Facebook also said that it will block children from sharing nudity, sexual or violent content, and have a dedicated moderation team to respond to flagged content.
The app, rolling out as a preview to iOS with Android coming later, is only available in the US for the time being.
Facebook said it was fully compliant with the US Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act, and that it had worked with online safety experts including the National PTA and Blue Star Families.
Messenger Kids offers an opportunity to introduce children to the wider Facebook ecosystem, fending off advances from rivals targeting children and teenagers, while locking parents and family into the social network to communicate with their children.
