Facebook gives parents control over children’s online activity with Messenger Kids app

Facebook launches video and messaging chat app called Messenger Kids across Africa. The app allows children to connect with their friends and family in a supervised environment.

Parents can monitor and control children’s activities through a dashboard. From the dashboard, parents can monitor recent contacts, chat history and reported and blocked contacts. They can also see a log of sent and received images and videos in chats. As well as enable supervised friending and remote device log out through the dashboard.

The app is suitable for children between the ages of six to twelve years. Messenger Kids app is free and you can be download it from the Apple, Google Play and Amazon app stores.

Facebook shares it worked closely with experts in online safety, child development and media, and consulted with child safety advocates and educators across Africa ahead of the app launch. To ensure the app provides a service that balances parental control with features that help kids learn how to connect responsibly online.

“We know that parents are turning to technology more than ever to help their kids connect with friends and family online“ says Kojo Boakye, Facebook Public Policy Director, Africa. With privacy, security and parental control at the heart of the app, Messenger Kids provides a safe, fun space, controlled by parents to do exactly that, he continues.