What is the Kik App?

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Kik is a free smartphone/tablet app for instant messaging. There are no message limits, character limits or fees if you only use the basic features. Most kids use Kik as an alternative to SMS text messaging due to its integration with other social media platforms (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.).

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Kik operates via Wi-Fi or data, allowing users to chat one-on-one, in groups, share media, and live stream using usernames instead of phone numbers. Known for anonymity, it includes internal browser apps, bot interactions, and random chat features, but doesn't have end-to-end encryption (that's good for accountability).

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How Does Kik Work?

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Similar to other other messaging apps, like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and GroupMe, users need a phone number to sign up and then they can start messaging others.

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3rd party messaging apps are often used to message people who use a different device than you. For example, iPhones and Android devices don't always work well when trying to communicate to each other. Especially when sending images, videos, and links.

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Messaging apps like Kik, don't have that problem since both users are messaging from the some interface.

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What Do Parents Need to Know About Kik?

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Predator activity is rampant. The app has a reputation of having a significant number of predators prowling the app. Based on our own conversations with law enforcement, predatory activity is still an issue. A story of a West Michigan teen lured to Iowa through the app shows how parents really need to be very involved in how their kids are using technology.

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Sub-apps are a problem. There are numerous “sub-apps” within Kik that should give parents concern, including a web browser, YouTube, image search, flirting apps, and even one called OinkText, which pairs users up with strangers, similar to Omegle.

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Conventional web filters you might download onto a mobile device don’t have any control over these capabilities within Kik. The greatest risk to your child’s safety and privacy is the ability to invite people via social networks. With the click of a button, a child can reach out to the public communities on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram with the message “Kik me”.

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This begins a new instant message conversation between the sender and the recipient, whoever they may be, making it a perfect place for individuals with bad intent to troll for unsuspecting victims. Recently, Kik made it so pictures need to be “tapped” in order to be seen, instead of simply showing up on the screen.

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Ads are everywhere. Kik specializes in “promoted chats” – basically, conversations between brands and users, and also thrives on in-app purchases.

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Monitoring is limited. For both Apple and Android devices, monitoring is VERY limited. Bark is one of the only services that digs too far into Kik if you child is using it. In the end, because Kik does not intend for kids under 13 to be using it, and there are really no parental controls. Additionally, there are no records for parents to review and chats are easily deleted.

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Based in Canada. A significant law-enforcement issue with Kik is that it’s a Canada-based company, is only an issue because it makes it difficult and slow for US-based authorities to pursue inappropriate activity.

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How to Make Kik Safer:

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Regardless of the app, three actions mitigate the risks we’ve shared. We teach these actions in our parent presentations:

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1. Require approval for all app downloads.
2. Follow the 7-Day Rule
3. Enable in-app controls and settings

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We explain each of them briefly below. If you’ve already set up approvals for downloads and have used the app, please skip to the In-App Controls & Settings.

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Require Approval for App Downloads

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You can control app stores by requiring permission for apps to be downloaded. This is ensures your child doesn’t have access to an app without your knowledge. Here are the steps (for Apple and Android users):

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For Apple Devices:

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To require permission to download an app, you’ll need to set up Screen Time and Family Sharing (Apple’s Parental Controls). We explain this process step-by-step in our Complete iOS Guide (click here).  

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Once Screen Time and Family Sharing are established, here’s how to require permission to download apps on an Apple device:

1. Go to your Settings app.
2. Select your Family.
3. Select the person you want to apply this setting to.
4. Scroll down to “Ask to Buy” and enable.

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For Android Devices:

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You’ll have to use Family Link (Android’s parental controls) to ensure you retain control over what apps are downloaded. We explain this process step-by-step in our Android Guide (click here).

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Once Family Link is established, here’s how to require permission to download apps on an Android device:

1. Go to the Family Link App
2. Select the person you want to apply this setting to.
3. Select “Google Play Store”
4. Select “Purchases & download approval” and set it to “All Content.”

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Follow the 7-Day Rule

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This is our tried-and-true method of determining whether a specific app is safe for your specific child.

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Before you let your child use it, download the app and use it for 7 days.

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Create an account with your child’s age and gender and use it for 7 days. Play through a few levels, review the ads, see if anyone can chat with you, and poke around like a curious child.

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After a week, ask yourself, “Do I want my child to experience what I did?”  Even if you decide to allow them to download the app, now you have a basis for curious conversations about the app when you check in.

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Enable In-App Controls & Settings

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Without any meaningful controls, stick to the suggestions above and focus on relational approaches with your child.

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Bottom Line: is Kik Safe for Kids? 

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For elementary and middle school, the answer is no. They simply don't need this, and there are other options that would be safer. Messenger Kids even would be better than Kik.

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For high school, it might be okay, but there are still risks within the large predatory activity. Follow the steps above and stay involved if you allow your high schooler to use Kik.

What if I have more questions? How can I stay up to date?

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Two actions you can take!

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1. Subscribe to our tech trends newsletter, the PYE Download. About every 3 weeks, we’ll share what’s new, what the PYE team is up to, and a message from Chris.
2. Ask your questions in our private parent community called The Table! It’s not another Facebook group. No ads, no algorithms, no asterisks. Just honest, critical conversations and deep learning! For parents who want to “go slow” together. Become a member today!

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