15 Safest Texting & Messaging Apps for Kids With Parental Controls

Whether offline or online, socialising is the need of the hour, and when it comes to online chatting or texting, numerous apps can be used. However, if you wish to know the best child-friendly or child-safe apps that your little one can use to connect with his friends, we have some of the best options short-listed for you! Kids messaging apps provide a secure and fun way for children to stay in touch with their peers while ensuring parental control and safety. But first, let’s understand why kids need chatting apps. Parents can monitor conversations and ensure their kids are interacting safely.

Why Do Kids Need Messaging or Chatting Apps?

You may wonder why it is necessary to look for separate texting apps for kids when a phone always comes with one or the other kind of default text apps. Here are some reasons why your kid needs messaging or chatting apps:

• These child-friendly apps come with advanced features that can make chatting more fun and interesting for youngsters. These apps include features like read notifications, location sharing, free calling, better filters or stickers, and more.
• Some of these have high privacy settings, which save their personal content. This means that the chats or the texts cannot be shared without their consent, thus providing better privacy and safety for the child.
• Most of these third-party messaging apps allow data to be shared with other synced devices such as tablets, computers, smartphones, etc. iMessage is an exception in this case, but you will find other apps that provide this features.

Why Parents Should Help Kids While Choosing Messaging Apps

In today’s digital world, messaging apps are a common way for kids to communicate with friends and family. However, not all kids texting apps are safe for young users, making parental guidance crucial. By helping kids choose the right messaging platforms, parents can ensure their children enjoy social connections while staying protected from online risks.

1. Ensuring Online Safety and Privacy

Many messaging apps lack strong privacy settings, exposing kids to strangers or inappropriate content. Parents can select apps with robust security features, such as end-to-end encryption, parental controls, and restricted contact options, to keep their children safe from cyber threats.

2. Preventing Cyberbullying and Harmful Interactions

Kids may unknowingly encounter cyberbullying or harmful conversations on unmonitored apps. Parent-approved messaging platforms often include reporting tools, moderation features, and safe chat environments to minimize these risks and promote positive interactions.

3. Teaching Responsible Digital Behavior

By guiding kids in choosing and using messaging apps, parents can teach them about responsible online behavior, such as respecting others, avoiding oversharing personal information, and recognizing scams. This helps children develop healthy digital habits early on.

4. Balancing Screen Time and Social Connections

Some messaging apps are designed to minimize distractions, allowing kids to chat without excessive screen time. Parents can help select apps that encourage meaningful communication while preventing addiction or exposure to addictive features like endless notifications.

iPhone Chatting Apps for Kids

Here are some best iPhone chatting apps for kids:

1. Line

With millions of monthly active users, Line is one of the best messaging apps for kids.

Platform: PC, smartwatch, iPad, iPhone, and Mac.

Features :

• Offers timeline features, just like Facebook.
• Offers encrypted chats.

2. Viber

This app boasts of approximately 1 billion users across the globe!

Platform: iPhone 5s and newer devices, and iPad.

Features:

• Offers self-destructive chat options.
• Offers encrypted messages that are also colour-coded.

3.  Telegram

This is one of the best free texting apps for kids. Its makers have claimed that no revenue will be generated from its users!

Platform: macOS and iOS.

Features:

• Chat history is stored in the cloud.
• No limit on file size.
• Chat messages are encrypted and secured.

4. Signal

If you are looking for high-end security and chat encryption, this is the app for you!

Platform: macOS and iOS

Features:

• High-grade (military-grade) encryption.
• Highly recommended by Edward Snowden, whistleblower and privacy advocate.

Android Chatting Apps for Kids

If you are looking for some friendly texting apps for android users, here are some of our top recommendations:

1. Pulse SMS

This is a great app for kids as it allows high customisation.

Platform: Phone, tablet, and web.

Features:

• Send and receive text messages from all devices (paid subscription).
• Additional and advanced features include spam blocking, advance search, and delayed SMS sending options.

2. Chomp SMS

This is one of the best messaging apps for kids as it comes with advanced features and many customisation options.

Platform: Latest versions of Android phones, tablets, and devices

Features:

• Feature to stop the SMS while sending it.
• Passcode lock apps.
• Blacklisting and blocking.

3. Coffee

This app is specially designed for Android users!

Platform: Android

Features:

• Quick replies, categorised into various categories to make texting simple and fast.

4. Mood Messenger

Fast, simple, and effective, this app can change the way people chat or text.

Platform: Android 4.4 and above.

Features:

• You don’t have to hunt for emojis as the app allows instinctive and predictive emojis.
• The app offers customised SMS and MMS options where you can choose the font style, font size, background, smileys, and emojis for sending texts and media.

5. WhatsApp Messenger

This is undoubtedly a safe texting app for kids that is trusted and used by many.

Platform: Mac/PC, Android, iPhone

Features:

• End to end encryption for utmost security and privacy.
• Users can send text, voice messages. They can make video calls, too.
• They can share documents, images, etc.
• It is important to keep the app updated to enjoy the latest features of the app.

6. Textra SMS

This is a great app for users who are looking for a highly customised messaging option!

Platform: MightyText, Pushbullet, Android Wear, and Android Auto (car)

Features:

• SMS blocking
• Quick replies
• SMS scheduling
• Light, dark and auto-night modes.

Video Chat Apps for Kids

With the recent pandemic hitting the world, video chatting has become a saviour for kids, not only keeping them abreast with their school curriculum but also in connecting with friends and family. Here are some video chatting apps for kids that you can try:

1. Zoom

With millions of users worldwide, Zoom has become one of the most preferred video conferencing tools for people of all age groups.

Platform: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS

Features:

• The app allows up to 40 minutes of free video calling.
• There is also a provision for exercising parental control on video calls to avoid getting calls from strangers.

2. GoTalk

This app does not require any signup or installation for people you invite for a video chat.

Platform: Mac, Android, and Windows.

Features:

• The app’s free version allows up to three people in a video call.
• Just a link is required to be shared via message or social media for friends or family to join a group video chat.

This is a perfect app for younger kids who are not very tech-savvy.

3. HouseParty

It’s an interesting and fun video calling app for children that allows them to play games while chatting with their friends or family.

Platform: iOS, Android, and macOS.

Features:

• This is a free app; however, you will be required to pay for some additional features such as playing games.
• The app is fairly simple and easy to use for kids.

4. FaceTime

This preinstalled app on iPhones, iPads, and Macs is great for video calling with family and friends.

Platform: iOS

Features:

• Offers an HD quality video calling experience.
• Fun features of the app make video calling a fun experience for kids.
• Group calling experience can be enjoyed on this app, too.

5. Booyah

The app is an extended WhatsApp messaging app.

Platform: Android

Features:

• Allows you to chat with multiple people at once.
• Just a link needs to be sent for a call, and there is no requirement for any sign-up for the guests.
• Contacts from other platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, etc., can be easily imported to the app.

Other Chatting Apps for Kids

Here are some more kid-friendly texting apps you can try:

1. JusTalk Kids

The app is one of the safest texting and messaging apps for kids as it does not allow calls or messages from strangers.

Platform: iOS and Android

Features:

• It is passcode protected.
• It does not require a phone number for chatting.
• It allows for blocking profiles.
• It does not allow any requests from strangers or any calls or messages from people that the parents have not approved.

2. Facebook Messenger Kids

This app allows parents to have the utmost control over app usage.

Platform: iOS, Android, Web, Windows, and macOS.

Features:

• Offers kid-friendly stickers and emojis
• Messages cannot be hidden or deleted.
• Sleep mode can be set to limit usage.

All the contacts have to be manually approved by parents before the child can chat with them.

3. Skype

One of the first video chatting apps, Skype, is also a great parent-child messaging app!

Platform: Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Features:

• People who are on your contact list can contact your child.
• Information such as gender, date of birth, age, etc., is hidden in the profile.
• Your child’s name will not pop up on the search engine until or unless it is an exact match.
• You can create your child’s account under your own Microsoft account to provide access to this app.

4. Google Hangouts

This app is a great choice if your kid is under 13 as the app allows you to make an account with parental control!

Platform: Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux.

Features:

• You can manually add specific contacts to the account.
• You can change the privacy settings so that strangers will not be able to send any requests to your child.
• The app does not allow individual messages to be deleted.

5. Airtime

Another fun chatting app for kids, Airtime allows the kids to chat as they watch TV shows, movies, or YouTube videos.

Platform: Android and iOS.

Features:

• Kids can share photos, listen to music, share videos, and share TV shows that they are watching. There is also a feature of customising the screen with animated stickers of the kids’ choice.
• Parents can also create a private room for chatting.

Important Safety Tips While Using Messaging Apps for Children

Kids chat apps can be a great way for kids to stay connected with friends and family, but they also come with potential risks. Here are some essential tips to help children use messaging apps securely and responsibly.

• Use apps with built-in parental supervision features to monitor contacts, messages, and app usage.
• Show your child how to adjust privacy settings to limit who can contact them and view their profile.
• Remind kids never to share their full name, address, school, or phone number with strangers.
• Encourage children to only chat with known friends and family and report suspicious accounts.
• Teach kids to recognize bullying behavior and block or report users who send harmful messages.
• Ensure location services are turned off in messaging apps to prevent tracking.
• Stick to child-friendly messaging platforms with strong safety features instead of unsecured apps.
• Periodically review your child’s conversations to ensure they’re engaging in safe and respectful communication.

Tips for Choosing the Right Messaging App for Kids

With countless messaging apps available, selecting a safe messaging app for kids can be challenging. Here are the key factors to help you pick the best messaging app for your child.

1. Strong Privacy & Security Features

Choose apps with end-to-end encryption, password protection, and strict data privacy policies to prevent unauthorized access and protect your child’s conversations. Look for apps that don’t collect unnecessary personal data and allow anonymous sign-ups where possible. Features like self-destructing messages can add an extra layer of security for sensitive conversations.

2. Parental Controls & Monitoring

Opt for apps that allow parents to manage contacts, review messages, and set usage limits to maintain a safe and controlled messaging environment. Some apps provide dashboards where parents can view activity logs or receive alerts about suspicious behavior. The best apps offer customizable controls that grow with your child’s maturity level.

3. Age-Appropriate Content Filters

Ensure the app has built-in filters to block inappropriate language, images, or links, keeping interactions child-friendly. Advanced filters should automatically flag and block offensive content while allowing parents to customize blocked words or phrases. Some apps even use AI to detect and prevent cyberbullying in real-time.

4. Limited or No Ads

Avoid apps with excessive ads or in-app purchases, as they may expose kids to unwanted content or encourage unnecessary spending. Ad-free versions or subscription-based apps are ideal as they eliminate the risk of inappropriate advertisements. If ads are present, verify they’re child-appropriate and non-interactive.

5. Verified Contacts & Safe Chat Options

Select apps that require approval for new contacts and offer group chat moderation to prevent interactions with strangers. Look for features like “parent-approved contacts only” or video call authentication. Some apps provide moderated public chat rooms where trained supervisors monitor conversations for safety.

6. Positive Reviews & Reputation

Research the app’s reputation, read parent reviews, and check if it complies with child safety regulations (like COPPA) before downloading. Pay attention to how frequently the app updates its security features and whether it has faced any major data breaches. Educational endorsements or awards from child safety organizations can be a good indicator of reliability.

FAQs

1. Do AI moderators in kids’ chat apps effectively prevent grooming?

While AI can flag suspicious language patterns, it may miss subtle grooming tactics. Parents should prefer apps that combine AI with human moderators and educate kids about red flags in online conversations.

2. Are self-destructing messages actually safe for children?

While this feature prevents long-term message storage, it can also enable risky behavior if kids send inappropriate content, thinking it will disappear. Parents should discuss responsible messaging habits and consider disabling this feature for younger children.

3. Can kids’ chat apps still be vulnerable to screen time addiction?

Even child-friendly apps can contribute to excessive screen time if they include addictive features like constant notifications or reward systems. Opt for apps with built-in usage timers or pair them with device-level screen time controls.

It is very normal for parents to worry about their child’s safety, especially when it comes to networking for communication on social media. Keeping an eye on your child’s social media activities all the time may not be feasible, but you can always educate and update your child about various threats on such platforms and keep them safe. We hope that the above-mentioned apps will help ease some of your woes while helping your child stay connected safely and securely!

Also Read:

Learning Apps for Children
Language Learning Apps for Kids
Maths Learning Apps for Children
Best Programming and Coding Apps for Kids

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