On Monday,Facebook launched Messenger Kids, a version of Messenger for young children.
Here are my running thoughts:
Facebook for kids?
Its also designed to be compliant with the Childrens Online Privacy and Protection Act, orCOPPA.
So theres that checkmark.
Handing our kids over to the Zuck-machine feels, at the very least, unsettling.
Also, its designed for kids ages six to 12.
Thats way too young for a messaging app … right?
What would the kids even chat about?
How theyresoannoyed that their mom made them eat their broccoliandgreen beans tonight?
So I would need to be Facebook friends with the parents of all of my kids friends?!
Eh, Im okay with that.
Kids are really gonna dig the kitty cat masks and stickers.
Is Messenger Kids really that scary?
People are treating it like thedisturbing mess that is YouTubes kids content.
I think parents are more afraid of itspotentialthan what it currently is, which I can understand.
I mean, therearepotential dangers.
Kids can, in theory, make a fake Facebook account and add contacts unauthorized by their parents.
And what else dont we know about the app?
What kind of analytics will be tracked?
Where will all this data go?
How exactly will it be used?
Reading theMessenger Kids Privacy Policydoesnt offer much comfort.
Can parents even access their kids conversations if they suspect something weird?
How is Facebook monetizing this whole thing?
Is this simply the bait to get kids hooked?
Recode reports thatFacebook has a team of about 100 employees working on building products for kids and teens.
What will be next?
And a little dizzy.
How does one become Amish?
I dont doubt that this service will be fun for kids.
Its chatting with friendswith stickers!
I think Im worried that it will betoofun, too early.
And there may be no turning back.
