Facebook's Messenger Kids app is now available in 20 countries across the Middle East and Africa, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The youth-focused service from the social media giant was launched in the US in 2017, and was in April rolled out to 70 further countries. This is its first foray into the Middle East.
The app is aimed at children under 13 who can't have Facebook accounts, in line with the company's policies. As such, it features parental controls which allow parents to customise the app for their children, including being able to edit and change contact lists and be notified if a child blocks or reports another user.
In a statement, the company pointed to its expansion as reflective of people becoming even more reliant on technology during the pandemic.
The app was created in 2017 in conjunction with Facebook’s Youth Advisors, a team of experts in online safety, child development and media, as well as child safety advocates and educators, to "ensure we’re providing a service that balances parental control with features that help kids learn how to connect responsibly online".
The app will roll out on Wednesday, June 10 in the UAE, as well as in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen.
You can download the app from the App Store and the Google Play Store.
How to use Messenger Kids
Open an account
To use the app, a parent has to set up an account for a child. First, download the app on your child's device. you'll then be asked to authenticate your child's device using your own Facebook username and password. This will not create a Facebook account for your child or give them access to your account. You can then create an account for them and add people to their contact list.
From there, children can start a one-on-one or group video chat. The home screen shows them who they are connected to, and when those contacts are online.
Parent Dashboard
Parents can control and monitor their child’s activity in the app through the Parent Dashboard, located in the parent’s main Facebook app.
Through the Parent Dashboard, parents can monitor everything from recent contacts to chat history and reported and blocked contacts. They can also see a log of images and videos, set "sleep mode", which limits the amount of time your child can spend on the app, and enable "supervised friending", which gives them more control over the child's contacts.
Through the dashboard, parents can also see all the devices on which your child is logged into Messenger Kids, and you can even log out your child from afar, as well as being able to request a copy of your child’s Messenger Kids information, similar to how you can download your own information within the Facebook app.
Using the app
In addition to video chat, children can send photos, videos or text messages to their contacts in the app. There is even a library of kid-appropriate and specially chosen gifs, frames, stickers, masks, sound effects, masks, emojis and drawing tools.
Are there privacy concerns to be aware of with Messenger Kids?
The app has copped some backlash in the past for its online safety practices.
On its website, Facebook acknowledges in its Messenger Kids Privacy Policy that it collects information such as children's names, usernames, passwords, and the messages they share between each other.
The company says it does so to enhance users' experience and user privacy, "including to help verify accounts and activity, and to look into suspicious activity or violations of our terms or policies".
But last year, problems arose when a glitch enabled children to conduct group chats with others who were not approved by their parents. An open letter on the issue made it to the US Congress, with senators urging the social media giant to upgrade its security practises.
Privacy concerns around Messenger Kids were also part of the issues associated with a $5 billion (Dh18.36bn) fine handed to Facebook by the Federal Trade Commission in July 2019 over abusing its users personal data.
Facebook also came under fire in 2018 for violating the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, as it was collecting the personal information of children without parental consent. In a response, Facebook said it doesn't collect information for ad purposes.
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2014/15 Everton: 36(4) - 10
2015/16 Everton: 37(1) - 18
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
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- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
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The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
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Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
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Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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Dirham Stretcher tips for having a baby in the UAE
Selma Abdelhamid, the group's moderator, offers her guide to guide the cost of having a young family:
• Buy second hand stuff
They grow so fast. Don't get a second hand car seat though, unless you 100 per cent know it's not expired and hasn't been in an accident.
• Get a health card and vaccinate your child for free at government health centres
Ms Ma says she discovered this after spending thousands on vaccinations at private clinics.
• Join mum and baby coffee mornings provided by clinics, babysitting companies or nurseries.
Before joining baby classes ask for a free trial session. This way you will know if it's for you or not. You'll be surprised how great some classes are and how bad others are.
• Once baby is ready for solids, cook at home
Take the food with you in reusable pouches or jars. You'll save a fortune and you'll know exactly what you're feeding your child.
History's medical milestones
1799 - First small pox vaccine administered
1846 - First public demonstration of anaesthesia in surgery
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1895 - Discovery of x-rays
1923 - Heart valve surgery performed successfully for first time
1928 - Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin
1953 - Structure of DNA discovered
1952 - First organ transplant - a kidney - takes place
1954 - Clinical trials of birth control pill
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1998 - The first adult live-donor liver transplant is carried out
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Day 3, Abu Dhabi Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Just three balls remained in an exhausting day for Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they were afforded some belated cheer. Nuwan Pradeep, unrewarded in 15 overs to that point, let slip a seemingly innocuous delivery down the legside. Babar Azam feathered it behind, and Niroshan Dickwella dived to make a fine catch.
Stat of the day - 2.56 Shan Masood and Sami Aslam are the 16th opening partnership Pakistan have had in Tests in the past five years. That turnover at the top of the order – a new pair every 2.56 Test matches on average – is by far the fastest rate among the leading Test sides. Masood and Aslam put on 114 in their first alliance in Abu Dhabi.
The verdict Even by the normal standards of Test cricket in the UAE, this has been slow going. Pakistan’s run-rate of 2.38 per over is the lowest they have managed in a Test match in this country. With just 14 wickets having fallen in three days so far, it is difficult to see 26 dropping to bring about a result over the next two.
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- James Duddridge
- Mark Francois
- Chris Green
- Adam Holloway
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Ambition: To create awareness among young about people with disabilities and make the world a more inclusive place
Job Title: Human resources administrator, Expo 2020 Dubai
First jobs: Co-ordinator with Magrudy Enterprises; HR coordinator at Jumeirah Group
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Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year
2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
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