Access Technology
About UsServicesTrainingDigital WellbeingCommunity EngagementTeamBlogContact
Access Technology Logo

Empowering individuals through innovative assistive technology solutions.

X (formerly Twitter)LinkedIn

Quick Links

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Services
  • Our Team

Resources

  • Professional Training
  • Digital Wellbeing
  • Blog & Updates
  • Contact Us

Connect

  • domore@accesstechnology.co.uk
  • 01765 824971
  • Based in Yorkshire & working throughout the UK.

#domorewithtechnology

Facebook Messenger... For kids!?

Josie Banks

Josie Banks

2/14/2024 · 2 min read

childrencommunicationdigital wellbeingfacebookmetaonlinesafetysocial mediaTechnology#wordpress#Import 2024-03-14 11:02
Facebook Messenger... For kids!?

Another Meta creation has arrived, “the video, voice and messaging app designed for kids.”

Meta has developed this app to provide a safe place where kids can communicate with their friends and family, with the support of parental controls – Get in!

Messenger Kids is a free video, voice and messaging app for all smartphones and tablets. Parents can control the contact list and the kids can enjoy the fun features such as filters, stickers and games that spark conversation.

Made for kids. Controlled by parents… Let’s check it out those parental controls:

Messenger Kids was created as a response to the 7.5 million children signing up to Facebook whilst being under the age of 13 (the legal age for someone to have Facebook).

Whilst many of those under age children have signed up with the help or knowledge of a parent, there are good reasons for Facebook and other social media platforms restricting the age to 13+. “One of the main reasons why social media and messaging services try to block children under 13 is to comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act. The act requires children younger than 13 to have verifiable parental consent before they can disclose personal information to a commercial service. However, because these services are all about sharing, it’s nearly impossible to operate without collecting personal information.

In other words, “officially”, these services are for teens and adults, which is one reason why it’s disturbing that younger children sneak in. Facebook has privacy protections for teenagers under 18, but these protections aren’t designed for younger children who lack the maturity to navigate the choppy waters of social media.” (Facebook, Parent Conversations)

Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, wanted to create an app where children from the age of 6 to 12 could practise engaging in conversations and exchange voice messages, images and videos with people their parents know and trust.

Things to note:

  • Messenger Kids HAS to be set up by a parent, children can not do it by themselves
  • There is no advertising on Messenger Kids and the childrens’ data is not collected for commercial purposes
  • Messenger Kids is NOT a backdoor into other Meta products. The company has stated they do not plan to automatically migrate children to Facebook or any other Meta service when they turn 13.

“I think of Messenger Kids as training wheels for social media and messaging. It’s also like a sandbox. Kids can injure themselves in sandboxes, but they’re a lot safer than playing in the street.” – Founder of ConnectSafely

Josie Banks

Written by

Josie Banks

ShareShare on LinkedIn

Related Articles

Giving and receiving consent online vs offline: Is it any different?

Giving and receiving consent online vs offline: Is it any different?

Our lives are lived both offline, and, these days, more online than ever before. This includes our relationships, friendships, and sexual expressions. Whether you are swiping right on dating apps or hanging out with someone in person, consent is always essential. But how does consent work online? Is it different from "IRL" (in real life) situations? This post will explain how consent stays the same no matter where you are. No matter the setting, consent should always be: 1. Freely Given Co

Josie Banks
Josie Banks
5/27/2025·2 min read
Love on the spectrum: Neurodivergent friendly dating apps

Love on the spectrum: Neurodivergent friendly dating apps

Dating is already a confusing, vulnerable, and sometimes overwhelming experience for anyone. But for neurodivergent people, it can come with an extra layer of challenges that many others never have to think about. Whether you’re autistic, have ADHD, a brain injury, or live with other forms of neurodivergence, the world of dating can feel like it wasn’t built for you. From decoding body language and reading between the lines, to managing sensory overload in noisy bars or dealing with the unpredi

Josie Banks
Josie Banks
5/20/2025·3 min read
Understanding Doxxing: The Hidden Dangers and How to Protect Yourself

Understanding Doxxing: The Hidden Dangers and How to Protect Yourself

Doxxing involves the public release of someone's private information without their consent, often with malicious intent. In this blog post, we'll explore what doxxing is, why it happens, its impact on victims, and how you can protect yourself. What is Doxxing? Doxxing, derived from the word "documents" (docs), refers to the practice of uncovering and publicly sharing an individual's private or personally identifiable information, such as: * Full name * Home address * Phone numbers * Email

Josie Banks
Josie Banks
11/19/2024·3 min read