There are chat options that can stop random messages, but the standard setting is to allow messages from anyone. This means anyone can send explicit text, pictures, or videos to your teen without their consent. There are several implications that come with anonymous messaging, including shielding users who are intentionally causing harm.īecause of their focus on anonymity, Kik is frequently used for cyberbullying and harassment, as well as extortion and child exploitation by sexual predators.Īny anonymous user can direct message (DM) another user without the recipient accepting an invite first. All a new user needs is an email address, which can be created in minutes. There is no requirement for a user to include their real name or phone number. One of the biggest safety factors with Kik is that the users can remain anonymous. Kik claims one third of American teens use the app, and more than 75% of its user base is made up of young people 14-24 years old. Kik targets teensīefore we get into the functionality that makes Kik a dangerous app for kids and teens, it’s important to know that teens are a primary audience for the company.Įven though the app is listed as 17+ in app stores, according to Kik’s own documentation, the app is targeting teens. To be clear, Kik isn’t that different from other messaging apps, but there are multiple reasons its popularity among teens can cause alarm when it comes to online safety. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)-it was narrowly saved by being acquired. Kik initially tried to monetize the app through an unregistered cryptocurrency and was nearly shut down. One key feature of Kik is the bot chat function, which is primarily used by brands to create engagement through the use of automated responses. Specifically, Kik has a history of cyberbullying, child grooming, and even murder. It has gained a reputation as one of the least safe messaging apps available. Kik is a popular messaging app among kids and teens that prioritizes anonymity. Kik is one of many options for a direct messaging app that has been riding that growth to over 300 million users, and a reputation that precedes it (not in a good way). There were just over 3 billion users in 2021 and estimates put that number closer to 3.5 billion by 2025. Direct messaging apps have had explosive growth over the past decade.
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