Facebook launches 'sleep mode' in its controversial Kids app

A new 'sleep mode' tool lets parents limit when their kids can and can't use the app, which is specifically targeted for children aged 12 and under. 

Now parents can specify the times kids aren't allowed on the app - either as a one-time restriction or a recurring setting, such as after 9pm every school night.  

Facebook said the feature is now available on Messenger Kids.

Facebook is adding a "sleep" mode to its Messenger Kids service so parents can limit how much time children spend on it. The feature is available on the app starting on Friday 

When Messenger Kids is in sleep mode, the app will 'go to sleep' at a designated time and children won't be able to access it during those hours. 

A notification bar will appear at the top of the device's screen that says: 'Time to say goodbye! Your app will go to sleep in four minutes'. 

When the time period expires, a screen will appear on Messenger Kids with a cute animation that tells users the app will 'wake up' again the next day. 

Parents can set separate 'off times' so that the app goes to sleep at certain hours on weekdays and weekends.

Sleep mode is controlled from the parent control center in the parent's Facebook account and the 'off times' can be changed at any time. 

Facebook says the app lets parents 'set and forget' off times so that they 'don't have to worry about constantly monitoring and changing the controls for the app'. 

'Parents...told us they would like controls that make the app inaccessible at a certain time, like during dinner, homework or bedtime,' said Tarunya Govindarajan, a product manager at Facebook, in a blog post. 

'We took this feedback to heart and built a feature that gives that level of control to parents'. 

Facebook launched Facebook Messenger last December as a 'safer space to message and video chat with close friends and family'.  

It comes with a bevy of parental controls and no advertisements. 

When Messenger Kids is in sleep mode, the app will 'go to sleep' at a designated time and children won't be able to access it during those hours.

A notification bar will appear at the top of the screen that says: 'Time to say goodbye! Your app will go to sleep in four minutes'

In addition to sleep mode, parents can add and remove their child's contacts, delete the child's account or create a new account from the parental control panel.      

But some child development experts have called for Facebook to pull it, saying it should not be making apps for kids.

HOW DOES THE MESSENGER FOR KIDS APP WORK?

Messenger Kids is a standalone app that can be controlled from a parent’s Facebook app.

While it can be used on a child’s own device, the service does not create a Facebook account for the child, or give them access to their parents’ accounts.

The messenger for kids app does not contains ads or in-app purchases

After setting up the account, parents can approve the contacts they will allow their child to chat with.

Kids cannot connect with contacts that have not been approved by their parents, according to Facebook.

Children also can't delete messages, and the app does not contain ads or in-app purchases.

Children can video chat, send photos, videos, and text messages to their approved contacts. 

To download the app, one must follow the following steps:  

• Download: First, download the Messenger Kids app on your child's iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone from the App Store.
• Authenticate: Then, 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 Facebook account.
• Create an account: Finish the setup process by creating an account for your child, where all you'll need to do is provide their name. Then the device can be handed over to the child so they can start chatting with the family and friends you approve.
• Add contacts: To add people to your child's approved contact list, go to the Messenger Kids parental controls panel in your main Facebook app. To get there, click on 'More' on the bottom right corner in your main Facebook app, and click 'Messenger Kids' in the Explore section

Critics of Facebook's Messenger Kids app argue that it serves as a way to lure kids into harmful social media use and to hook young people on Facebook at an early age. 

'It is disturbing that Facebook, in the face of widespread concern, is aggressively marketing Messenger Kids to even more children,' the Campaign For a Commercial-Free Childhood said in a statement this week. 

The Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood joined 19 other organizations in signing an open letter to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, calling the Messenger Kids app 'irresponsible'. 

However, Facebook has largely defended the app by saying that it consulted with advisers, academics and families to help shape the app before it launched.