Facebook requires all of its users to be at least 13 years old to join the platform, but it is now introducing the social media experience to young kids who fall under this age category with Facebook 'Messenger Kids.'
The kid-safe messaging app makes it possible for parents to control the online conversations their children have by approving a friends list. From there, kids are able to send text-based messages to friends and family on their list, as well as partake in video chats. Kids can also express themselves with kid-friendly GIFs, masks, emojis and sound effects.
To keep interactions on Messenger Kids safe, conversations are monitored with an AI system that is capable of detecting inappropriate words and images and preventing them from being sent in the first place.
What's Driving This Trend
- Kid-safe Chat Messengers
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop chat messengers specifically designed for kids under 13 with enhanced safety features and parental controls.
- Parental Control Technologies
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create advanced technologies that give parents control over their children's online conversations and protect them from harmful content.
- AI Monitoring for Child Safety
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Build AI systems that can effectively monitor and filter inappropriate content in online platforms targeted towards children.
Who This Affects Most
- Social Media Platforms
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop child-friendly versions of existing social media platforms with enhanced safety features for young users.
- Communication Apps
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create chat applications that cater specifically to kids under 13, providing a safe and age-appropriate environment for communication.
- Child Safety Tech
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Innovate technologies and solutions focused on keeping children safe online, including AI-powered monitoring systems and parental control tools.
