Facebook Announces New Improvements on Messenger Kids

Category: Technology/Innovations

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. oversee / ˌoʊ vərˈsi / (v) – to closely watch and direct a person or an activity
    Example:

    One of my main tasks is to oversee the interns.


  2. roll out (something) / roʊl aʊt / (phrasal) – to introduce a product or service to the public for the first time
    Example:

    The tech company will roll out its new smartphones in stores tomorrow.


  3. glitch / glɪtʃ / (n) – an unexpected malfunction, usually on machines
    Example:

    A glitch in the software left some customers unable to access their bank accounts online.


  4. remotely / rɪˈmoʊt li / (adv) – from a distance
    Example:

    I have to keep this device safe because it remotely unlocks my garage.


  5. keep (someone) in the loop / kip ɪn ðə lup / (idiom) – to let someone remain informed about something
    Example:

    My brother always keeps me in the loop about upcoming game releases.


Article

Read the text below.

Facebook has announced new parental controls on Messenger Kids.


Messenger Kids, a messaging app for children under 13 years old, was first introduced in 2017 as a child-friendly version of Facebook’s Messenger app. Parents can set up their children’s account and oversee who the latter can communicate with. Children can use the app to chat, video call, and share photos and videos with parent-approved contacts. Messenger Kids contains age-appropriate stickers, masks, and drawing tools to help children decorate their content and express themselves digitally.


According to Facebook, the updates were rolled out after the company had found a glitch on Messenger Kids that let children join group chats with contacts their parents had not approved.


With the updates, parents can now view their children’s contacts and chat history, as well as view and delete media sent and received by their children. Parents can now also see a list of all the accounts their children blocked or unblocked. In addition, they can see all the devices their children use Messenger Kids on and remotely log them out of any device. Parents can also download a copy of their children’s Messenger Kids information, which includes a contact list and media exchanged through the app.


Larry Magid, a member of Facebook’s Safety Security Board, commended the app improvements. He said that they will help children advance their digital literacy skills while having fun, and they can also keep parents in the loop about how their children use Messenger Kids.


Facebook assured parents that Messenger Kids prioritizes children’s safety and urged parents to review and talk about the updates with their children.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• With the updates, do you think it is safe for children to use the Messenger Kids app? Why or why not?
• In your opinion, what other apps or websites should have similar safety features? Why?

Discussion B

• Do you think online apps are safe to use without restrictions? Why or why not?
• Aside from creating child-friendly features, what else should be added to make apps safe? Discuss.