Kids today have access to easy technology and gadgets. For those in their growing years, the options are many more. There are apps which make them study, apps which can help them discover their inner genius and hone skills and also apps that helps them stay in touch with their friends!
While kids are not legally allowed to use Facebook or Instagram until they are 13 years old, the social media giant rolled out a new feature to catch in on the young crowd by introducing “Messenger for Kids”. The internet site was quick to ensure kids safety on the app by saying that the service was rolled out only after extensive research and consultations held with a lot many parents, teachers and child specialists. Loaded with a lot of images, trendy filters and GIFs designed for kids, it was introduced keeping in mind children’s safety and usability.
The Messenger app for kids was designed with the idea that children, as young as 5, could talk to their friends or family only after the contact list had been pre-approved and vetted by their parents. Since the app is connected with the parents’ Facebook accounts, it was termed to be “safe” as well. It also comes loaded with features, images, and GIFs, specially designed for kids.
While these terms seem good on paper, the world online isn’t still safe for kids. A new bug discovered in the app may make parents reconsider their decision to let their kids join ‘Messenger Kids.
According to reports, a “technical error” was found on the child-focused app which made it possible for kids to interact and talk to strangers online by simply joining a group chat with friends of friends. Simply put, it would allow kids to be in touch with strangers who wouldn’t be known to their parents.
Parents, scared much?
The social media website was quick to issue an apology and make corrections in its design. A statement issues read:
“We recently notified some parents of Messenger Kids to account users about a technical error that we detected affecting a small number of group chats,” a Facebook spokesperson told Fast Company. “We turned off the affected chats and provided parents with additional resources on Messenger Kids and online safety.”
This new glitch comes after a lot of child counselors, doctors and experts issued advisory and protested, asking the internet company to close down the app, adding that children between the age of 5-10 aren’t really ready to be or have their own individual social media accounts.
This safety breach is a huge trigger for a parent to keep an eye on their kids online.
The internet can a big bad space for bullies, trolls to attack your kids. Parents, here are a few ways to keep your kids safe online.
-Teach your kids to defend themselves on their own. Tell them the basics-who to talk to, when to alert and where to establish a boundary.
-As a precautionary measure, go through their friend list and monitor their activity online. Even the simplest things can act as a trigger.
-Since kids are very young and have an impressionable mind, bullying can get to them. Teaching them the right values, encouraging them to open up and talk to you can be a big measure to keep such activities in check.
-As a rule, if you cut out the gadget time from the start, it can help kids not get addicted to phones and screens.
-Do not encourage them to share private pictures online as it can be inviting for trolls and perpetrators to cross paths. As a measure, parents and elders shouldn’t be exposing kids online either.
-Talk to fellow parents and know what others are doing online.
