How to block unwanted contacts on Messenger Kids?

Ensuring your child’s safety and privacy online is paramount. Messenger Kids, designed for children, allows them to connect with family and friends, but managing contacts is crucial. This is where blocking unwanted contacts comes into play.

Messenger Kids offers a simplified messaging experience, focusing on communication with approved contacts. You, as the parent or guardian, have complete control over your child’s contact list. This control extends to the ability to block any contacts deemed inappropriate or unsafe.

Blocking unwanted contacts on Messenger Kids offers several key benefits:

• Protection from unwanted messages: Prevents children from receiving messages from strangers or people you don’t want them communicating with.
• Privacy enhancement: Blocks access from individuals who could potentially compromise your child’s privacy.
• Peace of mind: Gives you control and reassurance that your child is interacting only with approved individuals.

There are several ways to block contacts in Messenger Kids, which we will discuss in detail throughout this post. Learning these methods will equip you with the necessary tools to keep your child safe and secure within the app.

Blocking Contacts via the Messenger Kids App

You can block contacts on Messenger Kids to manage who your child interacts with. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Messenger Kids: Locate the app icon on your child’s device and tap to open it.
2. Go to Contacts: Navigate to the section where your child’s contacts are listed. The exact steps might vary slightly depending on the app version.
3. Select the Contact: Find the contact you want to block and tap on their name.
4. Access Block Option: Look for a menu or settings icon associated with the contact. This usually involves tapping three vertical dots or a similar symbol. Select the option to ‘Block’ or a similarly labeled function.
5. Confirm Block: The app might ask you to confirm your choice. Tap ‘Block’ again to finalize the action.

After Blocking:

• The blocked contact can no longer message or call your child.
• The blocked contact will not be able to see your child’s profile picture or any other information shared through Messenger Kids.
• Your child will also not be able to see or contact the blocked person.

Limitations and Considerations:

• Parental Control: While Messenger Kids offers blocking capabilities, it’s still essential to actively supervise your child’s online activities. Consider using additional free parental control apps alongside Messenger Kids to further ensure their safety.
• Bypassing Blocks: Children might sometimes find ways to circumvent blocks. Regular checks and open communication are crucial.
• Alternative Contacts: Blocked contacts might attempt to contact your child through other platforms. Therefore, monitoring other apps and social media accounts is also advised. For more robust control, you may wish to consider a paid parental control app such as mSpy or FlexiSpy.

Note: Screenshots cannot be provided in this format. Refer to the Messenger Kids support website or help section for visual assistance if needed.

Blocking Contacts through Parental Controls

You can manage your child’s contacts directly through your own Messenger or Facebook app. This ensures you have full control over who your child interacts with on Messenger Kids.

Adding Contacts:

• Open your Messenger or Facebook app.
• Go to your Messenger Kids settings (the exact location might vary depending on your app version). Look for sections related to your child’s account or Messenger Kids.
• You’ll find an option to add contacts. You’ll need to add contacts from your own contact list – only those already approved by you can contact your child.
• Once added, the contact will appear in your child’s Messenger Kids app.

Removing Contacts:

• Similar to adding, use your Messenger or Facebook app’s Messenger Kids settings.
• Locate the contact you wish to remove. This will usually involve a list of approved contacts.
• Remove the contact. Your child will no longer be able to communicate with that person through Messenger Kids.

Blocking Contacts:

Removing a contact is essentially blocking them. Messenger Kids doesn’t have a separate ‘block’ function for individual contacts. The parental controls are the core of contact management. You add or remove contacts; the removal effectively blocks them.

Parental Control Settings and Contact Blocking:

Remember: You are always in control. You decide who interacts with your child through the parental controls in your Messenger or Facebook app.

For more advanced features and more control over your child’s online activity, you may consider using a paid parental control app such as mSpy or FlexiSpy.

Managing Blocked Contacts Lists

Messenger Kids does not provide a feature for parents or children to directly view a list of blocked contacts. The app’s design prioritizes simplicity and ease of use for children, which means there is no interface dedicated to managing blocked contact lists.

If a contact has been blocked, the child will no longer receive messages or calls from that contact. The blocked contact will not receive any notification about being blocked. Similarly, unblocking a contact will not trigger any notification to the previously blocked contact.

Additional Safety Tips for Messenger Kids

In addition to blocking contacts, consider these extra safety steps for Messenger Kids:

Privacy Settings:

• Regularly review and adjust your child’s Messenger Kids privacy settings. Familiarize yourself with all available options and make changes as needed to ensure your child’s safety and privacy.

Responsible Messaging:

• Teach your child about responsible online communication. Emphasize the importance of being kind and respectful in their messages, and to avoid sharing personal information with others.
• Establish clear rules about who your child can communicate with on Messenger Kids. Make sure they understand that they should not engage in conversations with strangers or people they don’t know in real life.
• Supervise your child’s online activity, especially when they are first starting out with Messenger Kids. This helps them learn about online safety and responsible messaging habits.

Reporting Inappropriate Behavior:

• Explain to your child how to report inappropriate behavior or content on Messenger Kids. Help them understand that reporting such things is important to keep the platform safe for everyone.

Parental Controls:

• Explore additional parental control apps, such as mSpy, to enhance your child’s online safety and privacy beyond Messenger Kids’ built-in features.

Online Safety Resources:

Remember, open communication with your child is key to ensuring their safety online. Regularly discuss online safety and responsible digital citizenship with them to foster a safe and positive online experience.

Protecting your child’s online safety requires consistent effort. Remember, you play a crucial role in managing their Messenger Kids experience. Regularly reviewing their contact list and adjusting privacy settings is vital. This proactive approach ensures that only approved contacts can interact with your child.

Should any inappropriate behavior occur, utilize Messenger Kids’ reporting features. Reporting helps keep the app safe for all users.

By following these steps and remaining actively involved, you can foster a positive and secure environment for your child on Messenger Kids. If you need further assistance or have concerns, refer to Messenger Kids’ help center or contact their support team. Your vigilance and guidance are key to your child’s online well-being.