Facebook Messenger's New Feature: A Paradigm Shift in Parental Controls?

Facebook Messenger's New Feature: A Paradigm Shift in Parental Controls?

Facebook Messenger has launched a new feature called "parental control" mode, which allows parents to monitor their kids' chat on the app. This new feature is designed to give parents more control over their kid's online activity and protect them from potential online dangers. Meta, the parent company of Facebook, revealed this in a recent report. Meta says this is "just the first batch of parental control tools" and plans to roll out more over the next year.

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Currently, the feature is only available to users in the US, UK, and Canada. However, Meta claims that it will roll out to the rest of the world in the coming months. In this article, we will explore the new parental control mode on Facebook Messenger, its features, and how it can help parents keep their kids safe online.

What is the Parental Control Mode on Facebook Messenger?

Parental control mode is a new feature on Facebook Messenger. It allows parents to monitor their child's internet usage, set limits on their screen time, and block inappropriate content. With the new update, parents can access settings such as who can message their teens – only their friends, friends of friends, or no one – and who can view their stories. The guardians will also receive a notification if the child changes any of these settings.

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How Does Parental Control Mode Work?

Parental control mode works by allowing parents to link their Facebook account to their child's Messenger account. Once the accounts are linked, parents can see their child's conversations, including who they are talking to, what they are talking about, and when they are talking. Parents can also set up alerts to notify them when their child receives a message from someone they don't know or when their child is talking about sensitive topics.

How to Setup Messenger Parental Control

1. Log in to your child's Facebook account.
2. Tap the small arrow in the upper right-hand corner, and select Settings.
3. A column of Privacy and Security options will appear. In this column, parents can activate any of the parental control features listed below.

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Features of Parental Control Mode

Parental control mode on Facebook Messenger comes with several features that allow parents to monitor their children's chats and protect them from potential online dangers. Some of the features of parental control mode include:

1. Monitoring Conversations: Parents can monitor their children's conversations on Facebook Messenger, including who they are talking to, what they are talking about, and when they are talking.
2. Setting Alerts: Parents can set up alerts to notify them when their child receives a message from someone they don't know or when their child is talking about sensitive topics.
3. Blocking Contacts: Parents can block contacts that they don't want their children to talk to on Facebook Messenger. They can also choose who can see the "story" (similar to Instagram Stories, a limited-time dynamic with a valid time of 24 hours).
4. Time Limits: Parents can set time limits on their children's Facebook Messenger usage to ensure that they are not spending too much time on the app. They can also find out how much time the child spends on Messenger on a daily basis.

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Before you dive into the parental control settings on Facebook, it is beneficial to revisit account security settings with your children. Make sure your child knows not to give out any personal info, and advise them not to add anyone they don't know in real life. Make sure you know their Facebook login credentials, and set up two-factor authentication so that only you can access their account.

Limitations of Parental Control Mode

While parental control mode on Facebook Messenger is a useful tool for parents to monitor their children's online activity, it does have some limitations. Here are some of the limitations of parental control mode:

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• Can be bypassed: Several methods of bypassing parental controls can be used, and children with enough tech knowledge can either get around or completely remove the parental controls.
• Invade children's privacy: Parental controls can invade children's privacy, and some children may feel that their parents do not trust them.
• May increase children's anxiety: Children's anxiety may increase due to parental controls, and in extreme cases, a child may become so angry that they destroy their device, defeating the purpose of parental controls entirely.
• Not 100% effective: Parental controls are useful tools to help minimize the risks children may face, but they are not 100% effective.

Parental control mode on Facebook Messenger is a useful tool for parents to monitor their children's online activity and protect them from potential online dangers. With this new feature, parents can see who their children are talking to, what they are talking about, and when they are talking. While parental control mode is not foolproof and should not be used as a substitute for parental supervision, it is a step in the right direction towards keeping children safe online.

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