Facebook & Messenger Kids: the parent’s guide
Messenger Kids is a real tool for under-13s. Here’s that setup plus teen Facebook privacy basics.
The age question
Facebook’s minimum age is 13. Most kids today use Instagram or TikTok instead; Facebook becomes relevant primarily for Messenger Kids (under 13) and Marketplace interactions (used by teens for concert tickets, clothing resale).
Messenger Kids (under 13)
A standalone app managed entirely by the parent. You approve every contact. No ads. No public posts. Parents can read the messages. Setup:
- Install Messenger Kids on your kid’s device.
- Sign in with your Facebook account; create a profile for your kid.
- Approve contacts one at a time, or connect with another parent.
- Use Parent Dashboard via your own Facebook to see activity.
Teen account on Facebook
- Private profile (friends only).
- Who can send friend requests: friends of friends.
- Who can look you up by phone/email: friends only.
- Turn off face recognition.
- Limit old posts with Privacy Checkup once a year.
- Marketplace: teens can browse but should not meet buyers/sellers in person without you.
Meta’s Family Center
Covers Facebook, Messenger, Instagram. Lets you see time spent, friend list changes, and reports without reading messages. Enable via your own Facebook / Instagram account.
Real risks
- Marketplace scams targeting teens buying sneakers, concert tickets, or game codes.
- Old public posts — old posts from middle school can resurface at college application time.
- Fake “friend” accounts cloned from real friends’ profiles.
Common questions
Can I read my child’s messages in Messenger Kids?
Yes — and this makes it genuinely different from every other app here. Messenger Kids is built for under-13s, entirely parent-managed: you approve every contact, there are no ads and no public posts, and you can read the messages through the Parent Dashboard.
How do I set up Messenger Kids?
Install it on your child’s device, sign in with your own Facebook account and create a profile for them, then approve contacts one at a time or connect with another parent. Activity is visible through the Parent Dashboard on your own Facebook.
What is the minimum age for Facebook itself?
13. In practice most children now use Instagram or TikTok instead, and Facebook becomes relevant mainly for Messenger Kids under 13 and for Marketplace, which teens use for concert tickets and clothing resale.
What are the real risks for a teenager on Facebook?
Marketplace scams aimed at teens buying sneakers, tickets or game codes; old public posts from middle school resurfacing at college-application time; and fake friend accounts cloned from real friends’ profiles.
Should my teen meet Marketplace buyers in person?
Not without you. Browsing Marketplace is reasonable; meeting a stranger from it is a separate decision and should involve an adult and a public place.