Kik Messenger. It's fast and has no message limits, character limits, or fees if you only use the basic features. Because it's an app, the texts won't show up on your kid's phone's messaging service, and you're not charged for them beyond standard data rates.
What parents need to know. It's loaded with ads and in-app-purchases. Kik specializes in "promoted chats" -- basically, conversations between brands and users. It also offers specially designed apps accessible only through the main app , many of which offer products for sale.
There's some stranger danger. An app named OinkText , linked to Kik , allows communication with strangers who share their Kik usernames to find people to chat with. There's also a Kik community blog where users can submit photos of themselves and screenshots of messages sometimes displaying users' full names to contests.
Users can have group chats with up to 12 people for free -- and it's common for kids to log on after school and keep it open while doing homework. Maybe they're using it for group study sessions? You can only chat with approved friends. Users can only communicate with those on their approved contact lists, which can help ease parents' safety concerns.
It can be distracting. Because the service makes video chatting so affordable and accessible, it also can be addicting. A conversation with your kids about multitasking may be in order. WhatsApp lets users send text messages, audio messages, videos, and photos to one or many people with no message limits or fees. It's for users 16 and over. Lots of younger teens seem to be using the app, but this age minimum has been set by WhatsApp. It can be pushy. After you sign up, it automatically connects you to all the people in your address book who also are using WhatsApp.
