eSAFETY GUIDE
Facebook Messenger logo

Messenger

13+
Minimum age according to Messenger
13+ Minimum age according to Messenger

What is Messenger?

Messenger (previously known as Facebook Messenger) is a messaging app owned by Meta. It works as both a standalone app, as well as through Facebook.

On Messenger, you can instant message, share photos, videos and audio recordings, and create group chats with your Facebook friends or phone contacts. You can also use Messenger to voice chat and video call your friends.

Facebook states that you need to create a Facebook account to use Messenger. When you sign up for Messenger with an email address or phone number, a Facebook account is created for you automatically. You can view this account by tapping the Facebook icon in the top right-hand corner of the Messenger app. You can choose to deactivate your Facebook profile and keep using Messenger. If you delete your Facebook account entirely (rather than deactivate), your Messenger account and all of its messages will be deleted.  

You can also access Meta AI, an artificial intelligence chatbot, through Messenger's search function. Meta AI can answer questions and search the internet.

Website: messenger.com

Apps: Android app, Apple iOS app

How do people use Messenger?

Learn more about the benefits and risks associated with how people use messaging apps like Messenger.

Messenger is used for: messaging/online chat, photo/video sharing, screen capture, voice chat and video calling. 

Facebook, linked to Messenger, is used for content creation, live streaming, location sharing, messaging/online chat, photo/video sharing and screen capture.

How can you report online abuse, ask for content to be removed or block someone?

These links are provided by Messenger:

How can you protect your personal information?

These links are provided by Messenger:

  • Privacy settings 
    Learn how to protect your privacy and make your account as secure as possible.  
  • Managing your account 
    Manage your account settings.
  • Meta AI chat history
    See or download your Meta AI chat history and learn more about the type of information Meta collects and how it uses this data.

Key safety links

These links are provided by Messenger:

  • Safety in Messenger 
    Learn how to stay safe on Messenger.
  • Help Centre 
    Offers a range of general help, safety and security information.
  • Community Standards 
    Read Facebook’s official rules that outlines what is acceptable and not acceptable when using Facebook or Messenger.
  • Data policy 
    Outlines Facebook’s privacy policy guidelines.
  • Generative AI at Meta
    Outlines how messages are generated by Meta AI, including warnings that messages may be inaccurate and inappropriate.

Related eSafety links

Find out more about the social media age restrictions and access our social media 'ban' or delay FAQ for the facts.

Social media changes

From 10 December 2025, certain social media platforms are not allowed to let Australian children under 16 create or keep an account.

Find out more at eSafety’s social media age restrictions hub.

About The eSafety Guide

The eSafety Guide helps you find out how to protect your personal information and report harmful content on common social media, games, apps and sites. Entries are for information only and are not reviews, endorsements or assessments against any legislative definition by eSafety. Before choosing to use any online service or platform it’s best to:

  • do your own research to understand the risks and benefits
  • check the age rating and requirements
  • consider privacy
  • check the permissions and other settings
  • check the in-app reporting options.

If you are a parent or carer who is deciding whether a child should be allowed to use an online service or platform, you can also:

  • consider your child's readiness for the types of content and experiences they might encounter
  • help them understand what to do if they need help
  • provide ongoing support and monitoring, for example through regular check-ins with your child
  • agree to some rules about use of each service or platform.

To find out more, you can read the App checklist for parents, as well as information about parental controls in social media, games and apps and mental wellbeing resources for families.