Parental controls guide app

Parental Controls information

Type of guide

Social media privacy guides

Features and Benefits

Messenger Kids by Facebook, is a video chat and messaging app that helps children to connect with friends and family in a fun, parent-controlled space. The app is created for children aged between 6-12. It allows them to video call and message friends with added features to help them stay safe.

What specific content can I restrict?

Chatting Location sharing Parental control Privacy Social networking Timer

What do I need?

The Messenger Kids app and a Facebook account - for the parent / carer Kids app

Step by step guide

1 Get started You can get started with Messenger Kids in four easy steps. Your child doesn’t need a phone number to sign up: – Download the app – You can find it on the Google Play Store, Apple App Store or the Amazon App Store. – Authorise your child’s device – You would need to authenticate your child device using your Facebook login – Create an account for your child by adding their name and other details. You can take a photo and choose a colour – Customise parental controls – You can manage your child’s account and customise controls from the Parent Dashboard in the app Learn more about the Parent Dashboard.

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2 Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

2 Add a friend You can add contacts from the Parent Dashboard in your Facebook app or from your child’s Messenger Kids app. From the Parent Dashboard on Facebook: – Open the Messenger Kids bookmark in your Facebook app by tapping the menu (the three horizontal lines). If you don’t see it in your menu, tap “See More…” – Select your child’s account, then go to the Contacts tab to choose people to add If you can’t find one of your child’s friends, you can invite their parents to download the app. From your child’s Messenger Kids app: – Open your child’s Messenger Kids app – Tap “Add a Friend” in the top section. If you don’t see it, swipe to the left to reveal the remaining tiles – Enter the friend’s code, then tap “Continue” – Once your child requests to add a friend, you will have to confirm them from the Parent Dashboard in your Facebook app

1 Facebook Messenger Kids app

2 Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

3 How to use codes to connect your child with their friends This allows your child to use a randomised four-word code to connect with their friends. Once you set a code, your child can use it to easily connect with their friends and family. – Open the Messenger Kids bookmark in your Facebook app by tapping the menu (three horizontal lines). If you don’t see it in your menu, tap “See More…” – Select your child’s account, then go to the Controls tab to set a code – Tap “[Child’s] Code” – Tap “Copy” or “Get a New Code” – Tap “Done” When codes are turned on, your child can see their code any time they tap their profile picture in the Messenger Kids app.

1 Facebook Messenger Kids app

2 Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

4 Your child sees their code in Messenger Kids: – Open the app and tap your child’s photo – Look for the code under their profile picture If you don’t see a code here, you must enable it from the Parent Dashboard. Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

5 Block a friend Children can block people that they no longer what to message by using the following steps: – Open the Messenger Kids app – Tap the photo of the person you want to block to open the conversation – Tap the cog icon in the top – Tap “Block” When someone is blocked, they will no longer be able to contact them individually, but the person blocked will still be in group chats with your child unless they leave the chat. Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

6 Report a person You will be notified when your child creates a report: – In the Messenger Kids app, tap and hold the message or image, then tap “Report” – Choose the option that best describes what happened – Type what happened and tap “Next” You can only view the report your child makes: – Log into your Facebook account – From your News Feed, go to the section on the left side and tap the Messenger Kids icon. If you don’t see it, tap “See More…” and scroll down to find it – Tap your child’s photo below Accounts you Manage – Tap “Activity” – Below Updates to Contacts, review the report and tap to remove content Any report made on the app will appear in the Parent Dashboard below Reports and Blocked Contacts.

1 Facebook Messenger Kids app

2 Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

7 Sleep mode Sleep mode lets you manage when your child can use the Messenger Kids app. When the app is in sleep mode, your child won’t be able to use it. You can choose when sleep mode begins and ends, and change your settings anytime using the Parent Dashboard on Facebook. To set up sleep mode for your child: – Log into your Facebook account – From Home, tap the Messenger Kids icon in the menu (the menu is the three horizontal lines). If you don’t see it in your menu, tap “See More…” and scroll down to find it – Tap “Controls” and tap “Sleep Mode” – Tap to select “During the Week” or “On Weekends”, then set start and stop times – Tap “Save” Note: These settings for sleep mode will remain in effect until you change them.

1 Facebook Messenger Kids app

2 Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

8 Download your child’s information You can access and download your child’s information from your Parent Dashboard. – Log into your Facebook account – From Home, tap the Messenger Kids icon in the menu ( the menu is three horizontal lines). If you don’t see it in your menu, tap “See More…” and scroll down to find it – Tap your child’s name – Tap “Controls” – Tap “Download [Name’s] Information” – Tap “Create File” You will get a Facebook notification when the file is ready to download. Note: Downloading this information is a password protected process and your child will receive a notification saying that you’ve downloaded their information.

1 Facebook Messenger Kids app

2 Facebook Messenger Kids app Step by step guide

9 Activity monitoring You can view recent images and videos from your child’s chats using the Activity tab from your Parent Dashboard. – Log into your Facebook account – From Home, tap the Messenger Kids icon in the menu ( the menu is three horizontal lines). If you don’t see it in your menu, tap “See More…” and scroll down to find it – Tap your child’s name – Tap “Activity” Here you’ll see all your child’s activities. Only images from current contacts will appear. To view conversations from past contacts, download your child’s information To remove images or videos: – From your Activity feed, tap on the image – Tap “Remove” The image or video will be removed from your child’s thread and your view in the Parent Dashboard. Other people in the chat, and their parents, will still be able to see the removed image or video.

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