Facebook has announced the addition of a ‘Sleep Mode’ feature on Messenger Kids, giving parents more control over the times their children can use the app.
Facebook created Messenger Kids to give kids – those below 13 who theoretically can’t get a normal Facebook account – a safe “space to message and video chat with close friends and family.” When the app was launched last December, many didn’t think it was a good idea, to begin with, while others outright campaigned against it. In January, a group of health experts even petitioned Facebook to shut the app down. But Facebook isn’t showing any sign of doing that.
Instead, it’s giving parents more control of the app with parental features like a new sleep mode “that allows parents to set predetermined ‘off times’ for the app on a child’s device.” Messenger Kids already allows parents “to fully control the contact list and check in on their child’s messaging,” and that’s great, but parents also wanted a way to control the app’s accessibility. As experts have warned, and parents have realised, their children can’t control their usage, so Facebook has to step in and allow “controls that make the app inaccessible at a certain time, like during dinner, homework time or bedtime.”
It allows parents to set an “off time” during which the app will to “go to sleep,” and kids won’t be able to access it. The sleep mode can be found and be controlled from within the Parent Control center in a parent’s Facebook account. Parents can either adjust times during the day or just set it and forget it, which is handy. When the app is accessed “off time,” a message will pop up saying that it’s “in sleep mode and to come back later.”
Limiting a child’s access to the app will be challenging. If a child is used to having constant access, setting boundaries will have consequences. Either way, Facebook suggests having “a conversation with your child to make sure you have a mutual understanding of the ground rules.” Good luck with that. For more guidance and resources, on how to deal with this and other issues related to your child’s use of technology, parents can visit the Parents Portal.
You might also like
More from Facebook
Facebook Bans Donald Trump Indefinitely From Its Platforms
Following the recent events in Washington DC, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has announced an indefinite ban on Donald Trump from …
New Facebook Pages Come Without A Like Button
Facebook is rolling out a new design for Facebook Pages. It comes with new features, but without a Like button.
New Year’s Eve 2020 Sets New Records For Use Of Facebook Apps
Facebook was expecting a traffic spike on its apps over New Year's Eve, but this year broke all previous records …
3 Courses To Help You Create Better Video Content For Your Ads
Here are three free Facebook Blueprint courses to help you take your content to the next level.
Facebook Attacks Apple With Full-Page Newspaper Ads
Facebook is running newspaper ads newspapers criticizing Apple for its policy giving iOS users the choice of whether they want …
New Facebook Collab App Lets You Create Music With Friends
Facebook Collab is a new experimental music-making app available in the US, that lets you create music with friends.
Facebook Expands Brand Collabs Manager To Public Groups
Facebook is rolling out it s Brand Collabs Manager to public groups this week, giving them a new opportunity for …
The US Government Is Taking Legal Action To Break Up Facebook
Forty-eight attorneys general and the Federal Trade Commission say Facebook Needs To Sell Instagram And WhatsApp.
Facebook Makes It Easier For Auto Dealers To Manage And Promote Their Vehicles
Facebook is rolling out several updates to US-based dealership Pages to make it easier for auto dealers to showcase and …