Archive Is Kik Safe or Is It a Playground For Creepy Adults?
Kik messenger kids

Is Kik Safe for Kids or a Creepy Messaging App?

Mohammad

Mohammad

Table of contents:

    Kik messenger has become famous for being a problematic app for children of all ages, even teenagers. The anonymity that the app provides its users lends itself to sexual grooming, stalking, and sexual predators. Is Kik really a creepy app, or is it just misunderstood? Read the rest of this article to learn more about the true nature of Kik, what alternatives you can find for your child, and answer the question: Is Kik safe?

     

    Is Kik Safe for Kids?

    No, Kik is definitely not safe for kids! The app allows users to connect with strangers easily, and there’s no way to verify who someone really is. This anonymity creates a risk of kids being exposed to inappropriate content, bullying, or even interacting with predators. In the next section, we will explain in detail the safety risks of Kik for children.

    If your child wants to use a messaging app, there are safer options available (more on that later). These options often have features like parental controls and a healthier environment for children.

    The Risks of Kik for Kids

    Even though many adults use Kik as a dating app, it exposes children to many different dangers. The app claims that children under 13 years old are prohibited from having a Kik account. But there’s no way that the app can make sure of it. Kik’s dangers are usually more than normal instant messaging apps. Here are some of the most important risks of Kik for kids.

     

    Anonymous Chat on Kik

    All you need to create a Kik account is an email address. In the app, users can send messages to strangers randomly. This can be to find sexting buddies or engage in sexual acts on Kik. This itself is a safety risk since sexual predators can easily connect with children and engage in Kik sexting. There’s no telling what inappropriate content a sexual predator might send your child on the app. Pornography and other adult content might be exchanged on the platform.

     

    Sexual Grooming on Kik

    Sexual grooming is an illegal act performed by predators on the internet. The difference between sexual grooming and harassment is that the child isn’t bothered by the predator and might sometimes, in fact, enjoy the conversation. The predator builds trust in a relationship with the child. This is only possible through a platform that allows connection to strangers and even sending sexts (sexual text messages).

     

    No Data is Collected

    Though normally, the fact that an app doesn’t store users’ personal information is a good thing, in the case of Kik it isn’t. This is because many children are at risk of being exposed to sexual predators on the platform. Even if authorities had a warrant for investigation, they couldn’t investigate any users.

     

    Little boy is looking at phone screen in bed

     

    The Cesspool of Kik

    All sorts of people use Kik. However, because of its anonymous nature, Kik users don’t use their real names or profile pictures. All that’s needed to get on Kik is a username. But the most important thing to keep in mind is that every anonymous platform has a dark underbelly. So, who makes up the cesspool of Kik?

    Various news outlets such as CBS have pointed out how easy it is for predators to contact children and stalk them through Kik. In fact, there are multiple accounts of this happening on the platform. Anonymous platforms like Kik attract sexual predators because, according to what a sexual predator told CBS News, “it’s a safe haven for predators.”

     

    How to Keep Kids Safe

    There are a few ways you can help your children stay safe on Kik.

     

    See Who They Talk to

    If your child wants to have access to this highly problematic messaging platform, it’s only fair that you can check their messages. Reason with your child and tell them about the dangers of Kik and other anonymous platforms so they understand they can only use it if they let you see who they’re messaging. Kik is not safe to send pictures or to message others anonymously.

     

    Find an Alternative

    There’s too much drama involved with Kik and if your child is using it, it’ll be too worrying an issue. There are many different messaging apps on the market right now, there are even great safe messaging apps for kids as well.

     

    Child holding phone anxiously

     

    Alternatives to Kik

    Here are a few alternatives for messaging services your child can use instead of Kik.

     

    WhatsApp

    WhatsApp is a pure messaging app with a clean and intuitive interface that allows users to navigate easily. It’s owned by Facebook and is the most used messaging application in over 100 countries. When it comes to comparison, we could say that Kik isn’t safer than WhatsApp.

     

    Messenger

    Messenger is another popular messaging app that you can use instead of Kik. It’s owned by Facebook and has safer features than what Kik offers, such as video calls, voice calls, and group chats.

     

    WeChat

    WeChat is another popular messaging app that you can use instead of the Kik app. It’s owned by Tencent and has many features such as video calls, voice calls, and group chats.

     

    Conclusion

    Kik is one app kids should not have because of the risk of inappropriate content. It can also be used as a sexting app. Its users keep their identities anonymous, and strangers can message each other randomly. This all helps the app become a safe haven for sexual predators.

    Parents should keep an eye on their child’s screen activity whether it’s on Kik, sextfinders, or other platforms. Children should learn to never share their photos, videos, addresses, or phone numbers with strangers online. By using a parental control app like Safes, you can monitor and control your child’s screen time. You can download the app’s iOS or Android version right now. Parents can also use the parental controls on children’s phones such as iPhone’s parental controls or the parental controls on Android.

    Mohammad

    Mohammad

    At auctor lacus fusce enim id tempor etiam amet. Et consequat amet eu nulla nunc est massa dui consequat. Facilisi adipiscing nec condimentum sit laoreet non turpis aenean in. Aliquam cursus elementum mollis sed accumsan nisl ullamcorper in.

    Stay Informed with Parental Control Updates

    Our newsletter is your go-to source for staying updated with the latest information on parenting and online child safety. Subscribe to our once a week must have tips, to simplify parenting in the digital age. Read the editor’s top pick of the week to ensure a safe online experience for your child.

    More from Our Blog

    Some children might be wondering how to be a YouTuber kid. But parents must be aware of the risks and rewards of being a YouTuber at a young age.
    Mohammad

    Mohammad

    Schoolgirl with grumpy face holds books stack
    Does your child keep getting distracted when studying? Read our blog to find out about the 12 most important ways to help them focus on studying.
    Tannaz

    Tannaz

    A collage depicting the theme of Anne with an E, featuring a variety of images such as a TV
    This Anne with an E parents’ guide will help you decide if this TV series, popular among kids and parents, is an appropriate choice for your family.
    Sina

    Sina

    Child with digital burnout
    Protect your child from digital burnout! Learn to recognize signs & implement practical strategies for a balanced tech life by reading this blog post.
    Tannaz

    Tannaz

    Get Weekly Parenting Must-Knows in Your Inbox

    Deepen your parenting knowledge with our tips and tricks. Receive our editor’s top picks in your inbox once a week—no spam guaranteed.

    Subscription Form

    Download Safes Kids for Chrombook

    1. Install the Safes Kids app on your Chromebook from Google Play. 
    2. Pair Safes Kids with parent app. Follow the instructions in the app to pair your child’s device with your parent device.  
    3. Add the Safe Kids Chrome extension. Open Chrome and go to the Chrome Web Store. 
    4. Navigate to the Manage extensions page. Click the three dots in the top right corner of Chrome and select “Extensions”>”Manage Extensions”>”Details”
    5. Turn on “Allow in incognito mode” This will allow the Safe Kids extension to work in incognito mode, which is important if your child uses incognito mode to try to bypass the parental controls.
    6. Select Safes extension and follow on-screen instruction

    Download Safes Kids for Android

    Download the Android Kid’s app directly to get the full features!

    Download Safes Kids App on Play Store

    Download Safes Kids App on Play Store

    Safe Kids is available on the Google Play Store, but if you download it directly from our website, you will get access to Call and SMS monitoring feature, You can monitor the phone calls of your child’s device, as well as the contacts and messages they have sent and received, including those containing inappropriate content.