In an era where children are increasingly glued to screens, Facebook has recently launched a specialized messaging app designed specifically for kids under the age of 13, dubbed Messenger Kids. Aiming to compete with platforms like Snapchat and YouTube, Facebook hopes to engage this young audience with a “child-friendly” version of its messaging service. However, before granting your child unrestricted access to this application, it’s crucial to be informed about several key points.
Understanding COPPA Compliance
One important aspect to consider is the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). This legislation generally discourages tech companies from creating apps that collect personal information from minors without parental consent. Messenger Kids navigates this requirement by necessitating parental approval prior to usage, allowing the app to be utilized alongside a parent’s Facebook account.
How Messenger Kids Functions
So how does Messenger Kids function? It is a standalone application available for download on various devices, including tablets and smartphones, with recent compatibility added for Kindle Fire. The app operates under the supervision of a parent’s Facebook account, enabling children to safely video chat and message with family and friends, even when they are apart. Once set up, children can add friends and contacts—an action that requires parental consent. The app features an array of fun filters, GIFs, stickers, and drawing tools aimed at enabling children to express their creativity and personality.
Information Required from Your Child
What information is required from my child? Upon registration, parents will need to create a profile for their child using their real name. This requirement may raise concerns for some guardians. If a family has multiple children, parents can set up more than one profile. These profiles facilitate connections with friends and family, but any friend requests must be approved through the parent portal of the app.
Advertisements and Data Collection
Regarding advertisements, Messenger Kids is currently ad-free and does not incorporate in-app purchases. Loren Chen, the product director for Messenger Kids, has stated that Facebook will not use the information collected from children for marketing purposes. However, this policy could evolve, and it is important to recognize that targeted ads may still be directed at adults based on interactions from their children (another reason for caution).
Data collection is a critical concern. As Messenger Kids is part of Facebook, it inevitably gathers and stores a wide range of information about both children and their guardians. The app’s privacy policy indicates that it collects data such as your child’s full name, messages, audio recordings, videos sent, and information about their interactions and app usage. This data could be retained indefinitely and potentially mined for future marketing strategies. For instance, Facebook will accumulate profiles of millions of children under 13, facilitating the transition to standard Facebook accounts once they reach the age limit. This raises questions about what happens to the messages and shared content if a parent decides to delete their child’s Messenger Kids account; some content might still be visible to others.
Privacy Concerns
Concerns about privacy are heightened given Facebook’s past issues with adhering to privacy policies, leading to significant fines in Europe. Advocates for children’s online safety, like James Steiger from the Child Media Ratings Group, have urged Facebook to make a permanent commitment to keeping Messenger Kids free of advertisements and not using the app to set up children for adult accounts in the future.
Facebook has asserted that its development of Messenger Kids was based on extensive research, involving consultations with child development experts and educators, as well as endorsements from organizations such as the National PTA. However, one must ponder if this initiative is merely a stepping stone to establish a future user base for Facebook accounts.
Final Thoughts
For parents considering the implications of this app, it may be wise to tread carefully, especially given its potential to permanently document your child’s interactions in the digital world.
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Summary
Facebook’s Messenger Kids app allows children under 13 to communicate with friends and family under parental supervision. While it adheres to COPPA regulations by requiring parental consent, concerns about data collection, privacy, and future marketing strategies remain prevalent. Parents should evaluate these factors carefully before allowing their children to engage with the app.