eSAFETY GUIDE
Facebook Messenger logo

Messenger

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

What is Messenger?

Messenger, which was known as Facebook Messenger, is a messaging app that is accessible within Facebook and owned by Meta. You can instant message, share photos, videos, audio recordings or create a group chat with your Facebook friends or phone contacts. You can also use Messenger to voice chat and video call your friends. 

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: content sharing, messaging/online chat, photo/video sharing, screen capture, voice chat and video calling. 

Facebook, linked to Messenger, is used for content sharing, 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:

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.

Last updated: 11/06/2024

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 or endorsements 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.