Children ages 6 to 12 years old can now communicate with their families and friends. Facebook announced on Monday that an app will be rolled out in the United States.
Called as the Messenger Kids, this app is a parent-controlled that allows children to use the messaging and video chat features.
Facebook has recognised the need to have a messaging platform for kids. The app was a product of a series of consultation to parents and parenting experts in the US.
The social media giant took several years to develop such app for kids. Why? Because federal laws prohibit companies to collect information from minors. Unless, of course, companies obtained permission from parents.
In a Facebook blog post, Loren Cheng, Product Management Director said Facebook has consulted the National PTA to discuss the Messenger Kids as a parent-controlled app.
“Messenger Kids opens up a new world of online communication to families. This preview is available on the App Store for iPad, iPod touch and iPhone,” Cheng said.
NTA conducted a study which involved more than 1, 200 parents in the US. It selected parents who have children under the age of 13.
The result of the study revealed that 3 out of every 5 American parents surveyed claimed that their children under 13 use a social media app.
Furthermore, the NTA study disclosed that 81 percent of American parents reported that their children—between ages 8 and 13—are using social media app.
Children under 13 can install the Messenger Kids either in their tablets or smartphones. The parent’s Facebook account, however, controls the Facebook messaging app.
Messenger Kids will not be showing any ads. In addition, the app wouldn’t collect any data for marketing purposes. The social media giant also added a facility that can detect sexual content, nudity or violence.
Facebook’s Messenger Kids is now available on Apple’s App Store for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad.
