Facebook Messenger Kids, the free chat app designed specifically for your little ones, on Wednesday expanded its reach to more than 70 new markets and added a number of helpful new features.
It’s now possible for parents to give kids control over their contacts (if they wish), and for kids to join approved groups. The changes come at a time when many children are out of school and unable to see friends.
It’s a difficult time for kids. While some may be pleased that schools are closed, it’s not easy to be stuck in and separated from friends and family — especially if you’re too young to understand what’s going on.
Messenger Kids, aimed at those aged between six and 12, might make things easier by allowing children to stay in touch. It just expanded its reach in a big way, and it’s now even better.
Facebook Messenger Kids never more useful
The app can now be downloaded on both Android and iOS — with support for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch — in more than 70 new markets, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, and more.
There are also some new features to look forward to, one of which is called Supervised Friending, which gives kids a little more control. It’s available today in the U.S. and rolling out in other regions soon.
Supervised Friending allows parents to give kids the power to accept, reject, add, and remove Facebook contacts. Parents can still override their approvals, but kids get a little more freedom is parents allow it.
Messenger Kids now also allows children to join groups approved by a trusted adult. This allows them to communicate with an entire class, family, or other children with similar interests.
Public profiles for kids
Teachers, coaches, and others interested in using groups to stay in touch can find out more about the feature on Facebook’s website. Note this feature is also a U.S. exclusive for the time being.
The final feature added to Messenger Kids on Wednesday is support for public kids profiles. This makes it easier for kids to find friends and family members while they’re unable to see them in person.
Public profiles make the child’s name and photo (but nothing else) visible to their contacts and parents of their contacts. It is available initially in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America.
Download Facebook Messenger Kids from the App Store today to get started.
