Messenger

How Messenger works

Messenger is a free social-media messaging app owned by Meta, available for users registered to Facebook. However, Messenger users can deactivate their Facebook account and still use Messenger.

Users can text chat, video call and share files and posts with each other individually or in groups.

Minimum age requirements

Users must be 13 to use Messenger. Messenger accounts are linked to Facebook accounts, so any settings applied in Facebook take effect within Messenger. 

The app relies on self-reporting for age verification. Accounts belonging to under-16s have privacy restrictions applied automatically. You should supervise your child while they set up their account to ensure they enter the correct date of birth.

Features

Group chat 

Users can create a group including other Facebook users. Users can also create a group video chat.

Rooms 

Messenger users are able to create ‘rooms’ where multiple people can meet to video chat. Users are not required to have a Facebook account to join open rooms. Users can create rooms from Messenger, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram.

Message Requests

This lets users preview the messages strangers send them to help determine whether they would like to accept and reply to the message, ignore it or delete it.

End-to-end encryption

This is where only the sender and receiver of the message can access its content. End-to-end encryption means that the message is encrypted before it leaves the sender’s device and can only be decrypted once it reaches its destination. This means that the data cannot be accessed by hackers.

Stories 

Users can post photos or videos for their friends to see for 24 hours.

Chat heads 

The chat heads feature allows users to continue using messenger while using other apps on their device. A chat head will display either the contact or group the user is talking to. 

Broadcast Channels

A one-to-many messaging feature available to all users where only the creators or admins of a chat are able to post messages for others to see.

Read Receipts

An indicator in chats that informs someone when their message has been read by the recipient.

Communities

These are group chats which are organised under a wider ‘community’. Unlike private chats, these chats are reviewed by Meta to ensure the content doesn’t go against their community standards.

Managing risks

Harmful contact with other users

Young people using Messenger might receive messages containing inappropriate content or language, and could be contacted by people with bad intentions.

There are actions you can take to reduce the risk of other users causing harm.

Adjust settings

To prevent harmful contact from strangers change your child’s settings in Messenger so that only their friends can contact them. 
Use Meta’s Family Centre to monitor who your child messages on Messenger. Discuss any suspicious accounts they are in contact with.

Encourage safe messaging

To reduce the risk of harm from other users teach your child safe messaging habits. These include not accepting message requests from strangers or not responding to mean or uncomfortable messages. You could also teach your child about the messaging features on Messenger.

End-to-end encryption

Messenger uses end-to-end encryption on its services. This means only the sender and receiver of a message can access its content. Messages are encrypted before they leave a sender’s device and can only be decrypted once they reach their destination. This means that the data cannot be accessed by hackers.

Disappearing messages

Users can set a time limit after which a message will be deleted. That message cannot be traced within the chat. This is only available to chats using end-to-end encryption.

Edited Messages

A feature that allows users to edit messages they have already sent. This is available for messages sent up to 15 minutes prior. Users can still report edited messages as Meta’s moderators can see previous versions of the message.

Oversharing

Educate your child on what they should and shouldn’t share online. Remind them that:

• disappearing messages can be screenshotted and saved
• they should only send messages they’re comfortable with others seeing

Blocking and reporting 

Encourage your child to use the blocking and reporting tools to end contact with anyone making them feel uncomfortable.

Excessive screen use

Messenger’s ‘chat head’ feature encourages engagement by constantly showing ongoing conversations, even while on other apps. ‘Read receipts’ can also make users feel that they must reply as soon as they have opened a message.

The following steps can help you balance your child’s screen time. 

Set time limits

In the settings of your child’s Android or iOS phone, set time limits on how long they can use Messenger each day to prevent overuse. 

Set boundaries

Agree with your child about when and where they can use Messenger.

Turn off notifications

Encourage your child to disable Messenger notifications and chat head to prevent them from being distracted by new message alerts.

Settings to protect your child 

If you’re concerned about your child’s safety while using Messenger, these settings can help them stay safe. 

Family Centre

• On Facebook, select profile icon and go to ‘Settings & Privacy’. 
• Select ‘Settings’.
• Select ‘Family Centre’.
• Select ‘Supervision’ and then ‘Create invitation’.
• Ask your child to accept the invite.
• Manage supervision settings through the Family Centre dashboard.

Blocking and reporting tools

Block a user 

• Open a conversation with the user you want to block and select their name.
• Select ‘Block’.
• Select ‘Block messages and calls’ or ‘Block on Facebook’.
• Select ‘Block’ to confirm.

Report a user 

• Open a conversation with the user you want to report and select their name.
• Select ‘Report’.
• Choose the reason for reporting.
• Select ‘Report’ to confirm. 

Report a message

• Select and hold the message you wish to report.
• Select ‘More’.
• Select ‘Report’.

Manage who can send messages

• Select the 3-lines icon in the top corner of the screen.
• Select the gear symbol in the top right. 
• Select ‘Privacy and safety’, then choose ‘Message delivery’.
• Work your way through the menu to select who can send the account messages.