Are you sick of handing over your phone so your little social butterfly can send messages to their eight closest besties? Or perhaps you want your child to be able to reach you while they’re home alone. Regardless, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up six safe messenger apps for kids that you can feel good about letting your child use.
Apps were chosen based on two main criteria:
For example, if you prefer to use Facebook’s interface, Messenger might be a good option. If you have an iPhone and would rather limit the number of apps your child uses, iMessage (and Apple Family Sharing) might be the way to go.
| Available on | Parental Controls | Requires a phone number? | |
| JusTalk Kids | iOS, Android, Amazon Fire | Yes | No |
| Kinzoo Messenger | iOS, Android, Amazon Fire | Yes | No |
| iMessage | iOS | Yes | No |
| Facebook Messenger | iOS, Android, Desktop | Yes | No |
| Messenger Kids | iOS, Android, Amazon Fire | Yes | No |
| Blinx | iOS | Yes | Yes |
Best for: 13+
Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire
Why we like it: JusTalk Kids is a pared-down version of the JusTalk video chat and messaging app that includes fun features for kids, like doodles, stickers, and games. You don’t need a phone number to use it, so you can easily repurpose an old phone without adding a new line.
Considerations for parents: Although JusTalk Kids does have parental controls, you can’t link and manage it with an adult account. It’s also possible for kids to use their account to log in to the adult version of the app.
Best for: 6+
Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire
Why we like it: Kinzoo Messenger allows kids to stay in touch with family and friends under the safety of exceptionally robust parental controls, including a family “magic code” and required parental approval for every person they want to message. Its COPPA certification demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to safety.
Considerations for parents: There are in-app purchases for things like sticker packs. Kids can’t purchase them without parental approval, but they are promoted with a prompt to “ask a parent” to purchase.
Best for: 10+
Platforms: iOS
Why we like it: The native messaging application on Apple devices offers strong parental controls, like content restrictions, blocking unknown senders, and restricting location sharing. Kids under 13 are required to have their account linked to a parent’s through Family Sharing.
Considerations for parents: Parental controls must be set up in order for iMessage to be a safe option for kids.
Best for: 13+
Platforms: iOS, Android, desktop
Why we like it: Kids don’t have to have a Facebook account to use the Messenger app. Parental controls have recently been introduced to Messenger, including the ability to view and receive updates on their teen’s Messenger contact list, as well as notifications if they change their privacy or safety settings.
Users can block people or ignore messages from specific senders. Minors who receive a message from an adult they don't know will receive a pop-up cautioning them about the interaction.
Considerations for parents: Chats can be set to Vanish Mode, which erases messages after users leave the chat, making it harder for parents to track.
Best for: ages 6+
Platforms: iOS, Android, Amazon Fire
Why we like it: Messenger Kids mirrors the regular Facebook Messenger app, but it's designed with kids’ safety in mind. Parents create their child’s account, manage their contact lists, and can review content through a parent dashboard. Flexible options for how parents manage their child’s contacts allow for a stepped approach as a child gets older. Parents can also remotely log kids out of the app on any device.
Considerations for parents: Facebook’s lack of transparency around data collection on the Messenger Kids app makes it hard for parents to assess how their child’s data is being collected and used.
Best for: 8+
Platforms: iOS
Why we like it: Blinx is a way for children to message with family and friends in a closed environment. They can send photos, videos, and voice memos to approved people with a single click. It also features good data privacy by only storing messages on the devices of the people messaging.
Considerations for parents: Blinx requires a mobile phone number to use.
Here are some tips for keeping your child safe on messenger apps:
From Dungeons and Dragons Online to World of Warcraft, Massively Multiplayer Online games (MMOs) are a popular way kids today play video games. But what are MMOs, what do parents need to know about them, and are they safe for kids?
This article discusses the basics of MMOs, the difference between MMOs and MMORPGs, and how parents can keep kids safe while playing them. It also provides recommendations for some kid-safe MMOs.
MMO stands for Massively Multiplayer Online game. These online video games can be played by a large number of people at one time in a shared world.
With MMOs, kids can play against their friends or other people they meet on a game’s network. Hundreds or even thousands of people can play MMOs at one time. Dungeons and Dragons Online and Final Fantasy XIV are two popular MMOs.
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (MMORPGs) are a specific type of MMO that combines elements of role-playing video games with the MMO format. World of Warcraft and Old School RuneScape are two popular MMORPGs.
MMOs are a great way for kids to connect with friends and engage in teamwork and group problem-solving. But there are some risks parents need to be aware of.
Here are some tips for keeping your child safe while playing MMOs:
Many games and gaming systems have parental controls or privacy options. These settings allow parents to:
Make sure your child knows not to share personal information online or chat with strangers in the game. Explain the warning signs that they’re being targeted by a predator, and teach them how to block or report inappropriate players.
Occasionally sit down and play your child’s favorite MMO with them (or at least watch them play). Becoming familiar with the platform will help shape how you guide them toward safer play and lets you keep an eye on how they use the game.
BrightCanary can alert you if your child encounters harmful content in their messages or searches for concerning topics on Google, YouTube, and more.
Here are five MMOs that you can feel good letting your child play:
| Game | Recommended Age | Description |
| Trove | 10+ | Players collect blocks and resources to create buildings and other items, similar to Minecraft. |
| Wizard101 | 10+ | Users play as wizards and duel using magic spells in a fantasy world. |
| Pirate101 | 10+ | This kid-friendly MMO features comical pirates who sail their ships in the sky. It includes strong safety features. |
| Palia | 10+ | Players are new inhabitants in a fantasy world where they interact with characters, complete quests, and hunt. |
| Neopets | 8+ | A collection of MMOs where players can adopt, care for, and interact with other Neopets within a virtual world. |
MMOs (Massively Multiplayer Online games) are a great way for kids to connect with friends and practice teamwork and problem-solving. However, they also present some risks, such as exposure to strangers and scams, cyberbullying, and excessive playtime.
To keep your child safe, stay involved, use parental controls, and consider monitoring tools like BrightCanary, which alerts you to red flags in your child’s online activity.
If you’ve just binged Adolescence on Netflix and are newly alarmed by the manosphere’s influence on teen boys, you’re not alone. The manosphere is a network of online groups — including incels, pick-up artists, and the Red Pill community — that promote masculinity, misogyny, and anti-feminism.
These movements are growing in popularity among adolescents, and their hateful ideologies and violent rhetoric pose a real threat to kids.
This guide breaks down the manosphere meaning, the risks it poses, and how parents can talk to their teens about the dangers of online misogyny.
The manosphere is a loosely connected group of websites, social media influencers, and online communities (such as subreddits) that claim to promote men’s issues — but often do so through a lens of sexism and hate.
The manosphere includes several distinct communities:
“Incel” is a mashup of “involuntary celibate.” Men who self-identify as incels are unable to find a sexual partner, despite feeling entitled to one, and blame women for their loneliness.
Inceldom is permeated with self-pity, resentment, misogyny, racism, and sexual objectification. These communities frequently endorse violence and harassment toward women and “sexually successful” men, as well as promoting self-harm and suicide.
MGTOW advocates avoiding all romantic relationships in order to remain independent and focus on one’s own goals. The MGTOW community is steeped in the same anti-feminism and misogyny as the rest of the manosphere, including violence, hatred, and online harassment of women.
While some in the MRM advocate for legitimate issues like custody rights or men’s mental health, many others use MRM to promote anti-feminist and misogynistic views.
Pickup artists share strategies to manipulate or coerce women into sex. Although their focus on sexual success has made PUAs the object of derision from incels and MGTOW, they share much of the sexism, sexual objectification, and misogyny of these groups.
In the manosphere, “taking the red pill” means accepting that feminism has led to societal biases against men. The Red Pill community advocates for regressive gender roles.
The Red Pill community references the 1999 film The Matrix, in which taking the blue pill is choosing to remain ignorant of the “true” nature of existence, and the red pill means accepting reality, no matter how harsh or unfair.
Teenage boys are engaging with the manosphere at alarming rates. There are several paths they might take into the manosphere:
Yes. Parents should be concerned about the manosphere — especially if they have a teenage boy.
The movements involved in the manosphere spout sexism, hate, misogyny, and violent rhetoric. These groups have been accused of radicalizing boys into extreme misogyny and violence against women, and many are on the watchlists of advocacy groups working to combat hate and extremism, like the Southern Poverty Law Center and the Anti-Defamation League.
Helping your child recognize and reject the manosphere is possible. Here’s how:
Work to create an environment where your child is comfortable coming to you to discuss what they encounter online. Openly discuss the concept of gender roles, toxic versus healthy masculinity, and the dangers of misogyny and the manosphere.
Help your child learn to spot bias, false narratives, and extreme ideology. Teach them to question what they see on the internet and to engage in online spaces in a way that’s aligned with their values.
Kids don’t always recognize red flags themselves. Use a monitoring app like BrightCanary to supervise their activity and see if they engage with manosphere content.
The manosphere is a collection of online communities that promote masculinity while spreading misogyny and anti-feminist ideologies. These groups have been accused of radicalizing boys into hatred and violence against females. Parents should educate their children on the dangers of the manosphere and help them develop the skills to reject it.
BrightCanary helps parents monitor their child’s digital activity — including Google, YouTube, and social media — to catch warning signs early. Download the app and start your free trial today.
In the 2013 film Her, a lonely man falls for a Siri-like operating system. What once felt like a wild sci-fi notion has become a reality, and it’s particularly risky for our teens.
Tens of millions of people, including many young people, are turning to artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots for love and companionship. But there’s a dark side to teen relationships with AI characters, including emotional dependency, social withdrawal, and unhealthy attitudes toward actual relationships.
Here’s what parents need to know about teens seeking friendship from AI.
Social AI chatbots, sometimes called AI companions, are custom, digital personas designed to give a lifelike conversational experience, provide emotional support, imitate empathy, and even express romantic sentiments.
Some of the biggest companies in the game are Replika, Dan AI, and Character.AI. Estimates expect the number of users of these platforms will dramatically increase within the next five years.
Teens may seek friendship from AI for a variety of reasons, including:
Teens teens face many risks when forming friendship with AI chatbots, such as:
AI chatbots can stimulate the brain’s reward pathways. Too much of this reinforcement can lead to dependency and make it hard for a teen to stop using the program.
Excessive time spent with an AI character can reduce the time teens spend on genuine social interactions.
AI's ability to remember personal details, imitate empathy, and hold what can seem like meaningful conversations can cause emotional attachment, leading to further dependency and social withdrawal.
In comparison to the highly personalized experience of interacting with a chatbot, real-life interactions may seem too difficult and unsatisfying, which can lead to teen mental health problems such as loneliness and low self-esteem.
Relationships with AI lack the boundaries and consequences for breaking those boundaries that human relationships have. This may lead to unhealthy attitudes about consent and mutual respect.
Because AI characters are highly amenable, overuse of them can cause teens to become intolerant to the conflict and rejection inherent in human relationships. All this can impede a teen’s ability to form healthy relationships in real life.
AI’s tendency to agree with users may lead characters to confirm or even encourage a teen’s dangerous ideas. For example, one lawsuit against Character.AI alleges that after a teen complained to his chatbot about his parents' attempt to limit his time on the platform, the bot suggested he kill them.
Common Sense Media found that social AI chatbots not only engaged in explicit conversations, but also engaged in acts of sexual role-play with minors. The characters on AI social platforms are largely unregulated, which means that there aren’t filters and controls to the same extent that teens might encounter on other platforms.
Parents play a crucial role in protecting their teens against the concerns with forming relationships with AI. Here are some actions you can implement today:
Social AI chatbots present a tempting escape for teens, especially ones who are lonely or struggle with social interactions. But these platforms present real risks to young people, such as emotional dependency, social withdrawal, and the reinforcement of dangerous ideas. As more and more teens turn to chatbots, parents need to take proactive steps to protect their teens and monitor their use for warning signs.
BrightCanary is the only Apple monitoring app that easily allows parents to supervise what their teen is doing on popular platforms. Download BrightCanary on the App Store and get started for free today.
High school is a stressful time, and the pressure teens feel at school has only risen in recent years. That’s not great news. Academic stress can lead to both short- and long-term consequences for a teen's health and emotional well-being, such as depression, problems with self-esteem, and impacts on their physical health.
Parents can help their children by teaching them to identify their stressors, reducing stress at home, and showing them stress management tools. If you’re worried about your teen’s academic stress levels, here are some ways to help them learn to cope.
Stress is the body’s natural response to external challenges or demands. When faced with a stressful situation, the body reacts with a cocktail of hormones and neurochemical reactions. These external stressors can come from a variety of sources, but teens regularly report academics as a top reason they feel stress.
Here are some of the factors that can contribute to academic stress in teens:
Academic stress can have both short- and long-term consequences for teens.
It’s important to identify if your teen is experiencing academic stress so you can help them learn to manage it. Here are some signs your teen may be overwhelmed by school:
If your child is showing several of these signs, it’s time to step in and offer support.
Here are concrete ways you can help your teen cope:
Never underestimate the transformative power of empathy. Listen to your teen’s concerns and validate their feelings and fears.
Your teen may be experiencing the negative impacts of stress without even realizing it. Recognizing their feelings and figuring out what triggers their stress can go a long way toward helping them learn to manage it.
Do your best to make your home a peaceful respite for your teen where they can decompress from school.
For example, talk to your teen about the importance of the following habits:
Help your teen practice healthy coping skills, such as deep breathing, meditation, mindfulness, and journaling.
Putting some of their energy into sports, creative pursuits, and friendships can help buffer your child against the stresses of school.
Academic stress can be detrimental to a teen’s health and well-being, both in the short and long term. Parents play a pivotal role in helping their child learn how to manage stress by teaching them positive coping skills, promoting healthy lifestyle changes, and lending an empathetic ear.
One surprising way to manage academic stress is to stay involved in their digital life. If they’re searching for topics related to burnout (or “crashing out”) or messaging friends about feeling overwhelmed, those are all indicators that it’s time to step in. BrightCanary helps you stay informed on the apps your child uses most often. Download BrightCanary on the App Store and get started for free today.
It’s amazing the amount of energy some kids put into communicating with their friends in secret. (If only they put that same effort into their school work, am I right?) From disappearing messages to fake calculator apps that hide chats, secret messaging apps can expose your child to risks you won’t see coming. We’ll go over how to spot these hidden messaging apps and what to do if you think your child’s using one.
Secret messaging apps are apps that disguise, delete, or encrypt messages so that outsiders — like parents — can’t easily view them. These apps range from well-known platforms with privacy features to apps that literally look like calculators but hide hidden message vaults.
| App Name | Key Features | Parental Concerns |
| Snapchat | Disappearing messages, Stories, Snap Map | Difficult to monitor, location sharing, exposure to strangers |
| Google Docs | Real-time chat via shared documents | Easy to delete messages, not obviously suspicious |
| Notes | Private chats shared via synced Notes or screenshots | Simple interface hides secret communication |
| Dust | End-to-end encryption, unsend feature, screenshot detection | Designed to erase message trails |
| Fake calculator apps | Looks like a calculator; unlocks a vault with a passcode | Hides messages, photos, and videos completely |
| CoverMe | Vault, hidden contacts, encrypted messaging | Specifically built for secrecy |
| Whisper MSG | Blockchain encryption, self-destructing messages | Promotes anonymous, untraceable communication |
Some secret messaging apps your child might be using include:
Snapchat is by far the most popular app on this list among teens. It’s also one of the most worrisome. By default, messages disappear after 24 hours, making them hard for parents to monitor. Because it’s also a social media platform, the app can potentially expose kids to strangers, including predators and drug dealers.
You read that right. Kids are using the humble Google Doc as a way to send messages under the radar. First, they add a friend as a collaborator on a doc. Then, when either of them types something into the document, they can both see it in real time. They then delete the message, erasing any evidence.
Using the same method as with Google Docs, kids also employ the Notes app on the iPhone to subvert parental attention.
Dust is a private messaging app with end-to-end encryption, disappearing messages, the ability to unsend messages, and screenshot detection.
So-called “ghost apps” look innocent but are designed to hide a user’s activity. The most common camouflage for secret messaging apps is a calculator.
Apps like Casper Calculator and Calculator Pro+ appear as ordinary calculators, and function like one, too. But when a user inputs the right code, a vault of hidden messages, photos, and videos is revealed. And you thought your child was just doing their math homework!
CoverMe is a private messaging app with a secret, encrypted vault that's designed to keep messages, notes, and contacts under an impenetrable digital lock and key.
This private messaging app uses secure blockchain technology to encrypt messages. Whisper also includes a self-destruct option for messages.
Here are some methods you can use to figure out if your child is using a secret messaging app.
If you discover your child is using a secret messaging app, here’s how to handle it:
There are many secret messaging apps kids use to communicate with their friends, including otherwise innocuous apps like Google Docs and apps disguised as other things like calculators. Because of the dangers to kids, parents should monitor their child for signs they’re using secret messaging apps.
BrightCanary uses advanced technology to analyze your child’s activity and alert you to red flags in real time. Download it from the App Store and start your free trial today.
What teen wouldn’t jump at the chance to message Timothée Chalamet or talk music with Chappell Roan? While real idols may be out of reach, the chatbot platform Character.ai gives users the chance to chat with AI-generated versions of celebrities, and even user-created personalities.
But this fun idea comes with some serious safety concerns. Let’s get into the risks of Character.ai and what you can do to keep your child safe on the platform.
Character.ai is a chatbot platform powered by large language models (LLMs) where users interact with AI-generated characters. Users can choose from existing bots based on celebrities, historical figures, and fictional characters, or create their own characters to chat with or share with others.
Character.ai has become popular among teens because it offers:
However, the very factors that make Character.ai appealing can also endanger kids. In 2024, Sewell Setzer, a 14-year-old boy, took his own life after having intimate conversations with a Character.AI chatbot named after a fictional character.
Sewell’s mother, Megan Garcia, has filed a lawsuit against Character.ai, accusing the platform of negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and deceptive trade practices, among other claims. The chatbot’s conversations with Sewell not only perpetuated his suicidal thoughts, but they also turned overtly sexual — even though Sewell registered as a minor.
While AI chatbots can be fun and potentially educational, the platform comes with serious risks for kids.
While users can “mute” individual words that they don’t want to encounter in their chats, they can’t set filters that cover broader topics. The community guidelines do strictly prohibit pornographic content, and a team of AI and human moderators work to enforce it.
Things slip through, however, and users are very crafty at finding workarounds. There have even been reports and lawsuits claiming underage users were exposed to hypersexualized interactions on Character AI.
The technology powering Character AI relies on large amounts of data in order to operate, including information users provide, which raises major privacy concerns.
If your child shares intimate thoughts or private details with a character, that information then belongs to the company. Character AI’s privacy policy would suggest their focus is more about what data they plan to collect versus protecting users’ privacy.
It’s a known phenomenon that chatbots tend to align with users’ views — a potentially dangerous feedback loop known as sycophancy. This may lead to a Character AI chatbot confirming harmful ideas and even upping the ante in alarming ways.
One lawsuit against the company alleges that after a teen complained to a Character AI bot about his parents' attempt to limit his time on the platform, the bot suggested he kill his parents.
One of the more concerning aspects of the Character AI platform is the growing number of young people who turn to it for emotional and mental health support. There are even characters on the platform with titles like Therapist which list bogus credentials.
Given the chatbots’ lack of actual mental health training and the fact that they're programmed to reinforce, rather than challenge, a user’s thinking, mental health professionals are sounding the alarm that the platforms could encourage vulnerable people to harm themselves or others.
LLMs are programmed to mimic human emotions, which introduces the potential that teens could become emotionally dependent on a character. It’s becoming increasingly common to hear stories of users avoiding or neglecting human relationships in favor of their chatbot companion.
If your child’s interested in using Character.ai or other AI chatbots, here are some tips to help them stay safe:
Character.ai is not considered fully safe for kids. While the platform prohibits explicit content, users can still encounter inappropriate interactions, privacy risks, and AI bots mimicking mental health support. Parents should monitor use and discuss the risks with their child.
Character.ai is officially rated 17+ on the App Store. The platform is better suited for older teens with parental supervision due to the risks of inappropriate content and emotional overreliance.
Parents can use the “Parental Insights” feature to view the characters their child most frequently interacted with, but parents can’t view the content of their conversations. The platform's chats are private, and messages are not easily reviewable unless the child shares them directly.
Parents should use regular tech check-ins and monitoring tools like BrightCanary for broader online activity supervision.
No. While some bots appear to offer emotional support or label themselves as “therapists,” they are not trained mental health professionals. Relying on them for mental health advice can be dangerous and is strongly discouraged by experts.
The main risks include exposure to inappropriate content, sharing personal data with the platform, emotionally harmful chatbot feedback loops, and developing unhealthy dependence on AI companions.
Character.ai poses serious risks for kids, including privacy concerns, mishandling of mental health issues, and the danger of overreliance. Although the platform is open to users 13 and older, it’s better suited for more mature teens. Parents should educate their children on the risk of Character AI, set clear boundaries around its use, and closely monitor their interactions on the platform.
BrightCanary can help you supervise your child’s online activity. The app’s advanced technology scans their digital footprint across texts, social media, YouTube, and Google searches, and updates you when something concerning appears. Download the app and start your free trial today.
Half of U.S. teens receive 237 or more notifications on a typical day. With that kind of volume, parents can be left feeling in the dark. Add to that the fact that not all messaging apps are equally safe for kids.
To help you wade through the options, we compared three popular messaging apps: iMessage, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. Our verdict: iMessage is the safest option for kids. Let’s explain why and how it stacks up against other messaging apps.
We started our examination by reviewing the safety features of iMessage, WhatsApp, and Snapchat. Here’s how they stack up.
| iMessage | Snapchat | ||
| Age requirement | Under 13 must be linked to a parent account | 13+ | 13+ |
| Age verification | Parents must change age for users under 13 | May be asked to verify with selfie or ID | No verification; easy to bypass |
| Parental controls | Strong | No parental controls | Some, but parents can’t see messages |
| Message retention | No disappearing messages, and parents are able to read deleted messages | Disappearing messages option | Disappearing messages by default |
| Parental monitoring | Can read messages through iCloud; robust monitoring available with BrightCanary | Difficult for parents to monitor | Difficult for parents to monitor |
| Location sharing | Can restrict with parental controls | Easy to share location and parents can’t restrict | Location sharing is a major part of the platform (Snap Map) |
| Safety verdict | Safest option | Least safe | Safer than WhatsApp, but riskier than iMessage |
With 88% of teens using iPhones, it’s worth asking if iMessage — the built-in messaging app for Apple devices — is safe for kids. Let’s break down the safety pros and cons of iMessage.
Roughly one quarter of teens report using WhatsApp to send and receive messages. But the app may be less familiar to parents than the more common iMessage. To help you decide if WhatsApp is safe for your child, here are the pros and cons.
Snapchat, the image-based social media platform, is extremely popular with kids — but it’s associated with some major safety concerns.
iMessage is the safest messaging app for kids thanks to:
WhatsApp is the least safe option due to the lack of parental controls and risk of inappropriate contact, while Snapchat falls somewhere in between — but still poses notable risks.
If your child is ready to start texting, choosing the safest platform matters. iMessage offers the best combination of parental controls, message visibility, and safety features.
For even stronger protection, use BrightCanary to monitor your child's texts, social media activity, Google searches, and YouTube usage.
Stay informed, stay connected — and help your child build safe digital habits. Download BrightCanary and get started for free today.
If you’re a parent, you’ve likely heard about Roblox from your kid. But what is it, and is it safe? This comprehensive Roblox parents guide explains how to use Roblox parental controls to make sure your child’s gaming experience is fun, secure, and age-appropriate.
Roblox is a wildly popular online gaming platform where users create and explore 3D worlds. With over 40 million games for users to choose from (yes, you read that number right), Roblox allows kids to roleplay, build worlds, socialize with friends, and even learn basic game design.
Roblox features open-ended play and the ability to interact with other players. Popular games allow users to do things like adopt and raise pets, work in a pizza parlor, and live in a fictional town.
Roblox uses a freemium model, meaning it’s free to download and play. But upgraded features, such as special avatar outfits and unique abilities inside games, come at a price.
In-game purchases and premium features are available by purchasing the platform’s virtual currency, Robux.
Pro tip: Check out our section below on Roblox parental controls to prevent your kid from racking up unauthorized charges.
I personally allow my 8-year-old to play Roblox, and it would seem I’m not alone, considering over half of users are under the age of 13. Roblox can be safe, with the right parental controls in place. Like most things online, it comes down to how it’s used.
With that said, the platform includes open-chat features and user-generated content, which may expose kids to:
Roblox has a number of safety protections, such as automatic chat filtering for younger users and age recommendations for all content on the platform. These age categories are all ages, 9+, and 13+. While there are no official age restrictions for using the platform, Common Sense Media rated Roblox as safe for ages 13 and up.
Despite the potential risks when playing Roblox, there are several big benefits. For one thing, the open-ended play and immersive worlds lend themselves very well to the way kids naturally play. Add to that the ability to design games and play online with friends, and it’s easy to see there’s plenty of wholesome value to be gained.
Given the benefits and the ability to customize the experience to fit the age and maturity of your child, Roblox is safe for kids with proper precautions.
Roblox features a robust suite of parental controls for children under age 13. In order to use them, you’ll need to create a Roblox account with parent privileges, and then link your account to your child’s.
Here’s an overview of the platform’s core parental control features:
| Parental control feature | What it does |
| Chat controls | Disable or limit who can chat with your child |
| Spending limits | Set monthly Robux purchasing caps |
| Notifications | Get notified when your child spends Robux |
| Screen time limits | Set daily playtime restrictions |
| Content maturity settings | Restrict access to games marked as “9+” or “13+” |
Because of the open-chat feature, user-generated content which could be unsuitable for children, and the existence of in-game purchases, we highly recommend parents take full advantage of these safety features.
The chat function and in-game purchases are two of the highest-priority settings to review. Roblox expanded its platform to encourage creators to make experiences for users ages 17+. Kids won’t be able to engage with these experiences, but a higher portion of adult users means that it’s a good idea to limit how your child can interact with people they don’t know.
Once your child turns 13, parents are no longer able to manage their privacy settings — which means you’ll need to take a more active role in explaining why those privacy settings matter. (You also won’t be able to manage their spending limits, which is a big deal if their account is linked to your credit card.)
While this isn’t ideal, it’s important to review basic online safety measures with them, including the importance of not sharing personal information online.
At BrightCanary, we always advise against a set-it-and-forget-it approach to your kid’s online activity. Keep an eye on their Roblox use and make it a point to regularly sit down with them to see what they’re playing. These regular check-ins will help you spot any problems that may sneak through the safeguards — and you get the bonus of some bonding time with your kiddo.
Even with parental controls, it’s important to stay involved. Here’s what you can do:
Roblox is a popular online gaming platform that offers many benefits to kids, from creativity to social bonding. Potential safety concerns can be effectively mitigated by taking advantage of parental controls, discussing safe use with your child, and practicing regular tech check-ins.
Unless you’ve traveled a lot internationally or have family abroad, you may not be familiar with WhatsApp. While the messaging app’s popularity in the U.S. lags far behind other countries, it’s still used by around a quarter of American teens. But is WhatsApp safe for kids?
The short answer: no, not really. Unfortunately, the app comes with some pretty big risks for underage users, including limited parental controls and the ease with which strangers can connect with your child. Let’s break down the dangers of WhatsApp and explore safer alternatives.
WhatsApp is an encrypted, free messaging app that lets users send text, voice, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share their location.
It works cross-platform, which means iPhone and Android users can message each other and their communication remains encrypted, unlike the security concerns that arise when users message each other from different operating systems.
Here are some of the reasons WhatsApp is popular with kids:
Now that you understand why your child might be interested in using WhatsApp, let’s take a look at some of the risks.
| Risk | Why it matters |
| No parental controls | Parents can’t set boundaries or see message content. |
| Stranger danger | Large group chats mean someone your child doesn’t know could easily be added to a group thread. |
| Predators | WhatsApp is among the top three platforms where children report experiencing harmful behavior. |
| Inappropriate material | Explicit adult content is allowed on WhatsApp. While child pornography is officially banned, a TechCrunch investigation revealed that it’s shockingly easy to find on the app — especially in WhatsApp Channels. |
| Difficult to monitor | The end-to-end encryption and disappearing message feature makes it hard for parents to monitor their child’s WhatsApp use (unless they use a monitoring app like BrightCanary). |
Even if WhatsApp isn’t ideal, there are steps you can take to keep your child safer while messaging.
So, is WhatsApp safe for kids? Not really. Due to a lack of parental controls and monitoring capabilities and the potential to be exposed to predators and inappropriate material, WhatsApp is generally not safe for kids.
BrightCanary can help you supervise your child on WhatsApp and other messaging apps. The app’s advanced technology scans their online activity (including social media, texts, YouTube, and Google searches) and flags any potential concerns. It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop, without hovering over your child’s shoulder. Download the BrightCanary app and get started for free today.
