Facebook launches Messenger Kids exclusively for children

Messenger Kids is targeted at children by Facebook.

Facebook is launching Messenger Kids, a chat app designed for children under 13 and aimed at countries outside the United States.

The US tech company said on June 21 that it would bring the new app to Peru and Canada and would soon be available in Spanish and French.

Messenger Kids, introduced in December, is a standalone app separate from Facebook's main social network and the regular Facebook Messenger. Both platforms require individuals to be over 13 to sign up.

Messenger Kids does not have any advertising, and Facebook says its new product is built in compliance with children's online privacy laws. Data will also not be used for advertising purposes.

However, Facebook's new move has faced criticism from educational development organizations, users and children, who say that early exposure to social media is harmful to children and teenagers.

In addition to expanding to international markets, Facebook has updated some new terms for the app. For example, both parents will now be able to manage their child's account, instead of just one person.

Facebook also created a “pledge” for families, which the company describes as a set of “guiding principles between parents and children that encourage responsible use of Messenger Kids.”