Facebook launches a version of Messenger for children

"Messenger Kids" is aimed at children under 12 without a Facebook account

Facebook has announced the launch of a social messaging network for children between 6 and 12 years old. Messenger Kids does not require a Facebook account of the child but is controlled by parents through their profiles in the network. According to Facebook, they have been working with experts in child development and security for 18 months to offer all the guarantees.

Messenger Kids has all the features of a messaging application: users can send text, photos, GIFs, make video calls with masks and filters ... But all under parental control: children can only chat with people from their contact list, that control adults .

Messenger Kids works in the following way: any Messenger Kids account must be linked to that of an adult (in theory, to that of their parents). Only the adult's friends will see the child's Messenger profile and they can send you a request for friendship, on their part or on behalf of their children with linked accounts. It will be the parents who accept or not these requests.

According to Facebook, no one except the friendships of the parents on Facebook will be able to see the Messenger profile of the minor. The application is designed so that children can be in contact with friends and family, not to contact strangers.

We believe that it is possible to give children fun experiences while offering peace of mind to parents

And there are still more elements of control: if children block or report an account, parents can see it. They can also do it on behalf of their children. The only thing they can not do is see the children's conversations, which will be private.

Among other security elements introduced by Facebook, there is a software that detects unsuitable content and does not allow sharing them in the application. In addition, in "Messenger Kids" there are no ads and personal information of users will not be sold to large advertising companies.

Facebook has explained that "Messenger Kids" aims to solve a dilemma that many families face: the desire of children to be connected in social networks without the parents' concern for their safety.

Despite the good intentions that Facebook appears , the most critical thinking that the network has gone too far, and that with this application wants to forge the new generation Facebook before users are old if you want to understand social networks or open up an own account.