10 safest messaging apps for kids

Many of us use various messaging apps to stay connected with family members, but it’s not just family who can reach out. Strangers or scammers may also try to interact with your kids, potentially posing a serious threat. Young children are especially vulnerable and can easily become targets for online predators.

Limiting your child’s access to messaging apps can hinder their social development. Instead, it’s more beneficial to equip them with the knowledge to recognize potential risks. By educating your kids and using apps with customized parental controls, you can help ensure they communicate safely online. To assist in finding the best options, we’ve compiled a list of the safest messaging apps for kids, designed to provide both security and peace of mind for parents.

1. Messenger Kids

Connection through digital devices i as important for kids as for adults. Many parents who want to ensure online safety opt for Messenger Kids. It was developed by Meta and is considered to be one of the safest. Kids can chat, call, and share media in a controlled and secure environment. Only approved contacts can be messaged to, as it has strict parental controls. The app also does not display ads, nor does it ask for a phone number during signing up. Kids also enjoy the app because of the fun stickers, filters, and games.

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2. justalk kids

Many parents have commented that the app is one of the safest messaging apps designed specifically for kids. It is reported that the app offers a secure and controlled environment for communication. Under parental supervision, kids can send messages, make calls, and video calls. The app stands out because of its strict parental controls. Only those contacts can be communicated with that are approved by parents already. Moreover, end-to-end encryption ensures your kid’s calls and messages remain private.

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3. Google Hangouts

Google offers a secure app from its own ecosystem for a safe and user-friendly experience. Kids can communicate in a secure environment with family and friends. While most of the services have transitioned to Google Chat, Hangouts remains popular among parents for its controlled and monitored services. Parents can enable Family Link to monitor their children’s activities. Text messages, audio, and video calls are supported through end-to-end encryption. Moreover, it does not reveal kids to public chatrooms reducing the risk of interaction with strangers.

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4. Fennec Messenger

Fennec Messenger ensures safe communication for kids in today’s digital world. Its speciality is its kid-friendly interface which is easy as well as secure. Unlike mainstream apps, Fennec is focused on privacy and safety with its parental controls. It also does not collect or sell data becoming an alternative to traditional apps. Even approved contacts are also end-to-end encrypted, which ensures how privacy-focused the app is. Parents can set limits and monitor conversation which provides them peace of mind.

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5. Kinzoo

Many concerns have been rising for kids’ online safety and after many tragic incidents of kids cyberbullying and blackmailing. Kinzoo has emerged as a child-friendly and safe messaging app. The secure and ad-free environment allows kids to communicate privately and safely. Because of privacy-first principles, it does not collect user data. This means kids’ information and conversations are never sold or shared. The plus point is that the app is engaging, simple and age-appropriate. This makes it an ideal app for young users. Parents can also control kids’ contacts with approved family members and friends.

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6. GeckoLife

When parents are concerned about online safety, GeckoLife offers secure messaging for kids, families, and schools. Parents are satisfied that it does not expose kids to unfiltered content. The communication environment is safe, secure, and controlled. Parents and educators can manage and monitor interactions for their betterment. Its prime benefit is the privacy-focused design where kids can communicate and share media with pre-approved groups.

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7. WhatsApp

It is one of the most widely used apps globally with 8 billion plus downloads from Play Store. The end-to-end encryption ensures that the messages are kept private and secure. Although it is designed for the general user, it can be a safe and secure option for kids when used with parental controls and proper privacy settings. The encrypted chats, simple interface, and ability to limit contact with strangers or unknown numbers make it perfect for kids. Parents can use privacy settings to restrict who can message their kids to see profiles or add them to groups.

You can also Read: Is WhatsApp safe for kids. Things Parents should know

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8. Telegram

After many apps have claimed a secure and safe communication experience, parents are still confused about which one to choose. Telegram is often considered a safe messaging app because of its strong privacy settings and encryption. While it is not specifically designed for kids, Telegram offers several features that make it reliable and safe for kids under parental supervision. It offers self-destructing messages, two-step verification, and end-to-end encryption for secure and private connections.

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9. Signal

Parents have approved Signal as one of the safest and most secure messaging apps for kids. The app is free and open-source software meaning experts can examine and verify the system. The platform is designed to prioritize user privacy. The signal does not collect data, which makes parents feel at ease who want a secure communication tool. Signal supports disappearing messages, screen security, and encrypted calls with no ads, tracking, or data collection.

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10. Facebook Messenger

Kids provides a secure communication platform for young ones. It allows one to manage contacts and monitor messages. Parents can also set screen limits to stop kids from overuse. For a safe experience, it does not display ads. This prevents kids from encountering content that might be harmful or age-appropriate. The child-friendly interface with fun features like stickers, filters, and educational content does not let the kids get bored. Parents can also control who their children can chat with.

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