This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact social activities, Facebook has expanded its Messenger for Kids feature to over 70 countries, providing a parent-controlled space for kids to connect with friends and family.
Launched in 2017, Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app designed to help kids connect with friends and family in a safe and controlled environment.
Parents can manage who their child interacts with and monitor their activity through the Parent Dashboard, where they can also download their child's information at any time.
"We know privacy and security are particularly important when it comes to kids online, and we take the responsibility to protect kids' information seriously," said Facebook.
Parents will be notified every time a new contact is added for their child, and can manage the list of contacts and approved adults through the Parent Dashboard.
Dr. Bernstein noted that this is a powerful opportunity for parents to have a conversation with their kids about choosing friends, both face-to-face and online.
Kathleen Lucchesi, a teacher at McCaffrey Middle School in Galt, California, expressed her excitement to use the new feature to help her students stay connected and build camaraderie virtually.
