Facebook launches Messenger Kids in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — Social media company Facebook has rolled out Messenger Kids in the Philippines, a mobile application that allows children below 12 years old to use video chat and messaging features in a parent-controlled environment.

“Through our work with the Stairway Foundation, the Child Rights Network and other safety partners in the Philippines, we learned that many Filipino parents are looking for ways to help their children stay in touch with friends and family during this challenging time, in a fun and parent-supervised environment,” Facebook head of safety for Asia Pacific Amber Hawkes said yesterday.

Launched in the United States in 2017, Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app that is designed for children to connect with their friends and family with parent supervision.

With the rollout in the country, Filipino parents may now download the application for iOS and Android devices.

According to Facebook, every child account on Messenger Kids must be set up by a parent, who will have to authenticate the child’s device using their own Facebook username and password.

The use of Messenger Kids will not create a Facebook account for the child as Facebook’s community standards prohibit the creation of accounts for anyone below 13 years old.

The use of the app will not give the children access to their parent’s Facebook account.