3 Free Texting Apps Kids Love
3 Free Texting Apps Kids Love

by Bev Bachel

I interviewed more than 30 kids for the new edition of my goal-setting book for teens called What Do You Really Want?

In the process, I learned a lot about their hopes and dreams, the obstacles they face and what they do to motivate themselves.

I also learned a lot about how they stay connected to their friends using technology. Traditional SMS texting is one way, but other texting apps are gaining in popularity. Here are three free ones worth checking out so you know exactly how they work:

For younger kids

Kids In Touch

This app is great for younger kids who don’t yet have their own phones or tablets, but want to stay in touch with family and friends. You decide who you want your children to interact with and then invite them to join in. No one else can communicate with your children, and all messages remain private. You can easily review your kids’ messages, making this a great tool for teaching safe and appropriate messaging behavior.

What your kids will love

The ability to design their own icons to share their moods.

For older kids and teens

Facebook Messenger

This app makes it easy for your kids to send messages to any of Facebook’s users, even if they aren’t Facebook friends and even if your kids don’t have their phone number. Kids can send both individual and group messages.

The app also makes it easy for them to shoot videos and snap selfies and other photos and send them with just one tap. If your kids already have a Facebook account, Messenger works automatically (once the app is downloaded) with no sign-in needed.

What your kids will love

The Sticker Store, where they can download free and premium illustrations or animations of characters that they can send to their friends.

GroupMe

GroupMe is a great way for kids to text with everyone they know — whether it’s one-on-one or as part of a group. It works on nearly every phone, making it easy to reach anyone, anywhere, anytime. It comes with a calendar feature that makes it easy to organize social activities with friends, meetings with club members, study sessions with classmates and even family time.

Added features include the ability to drag and drop photos into texts and premium packs of emojis that are available for purchase.

What your kids will love

Animated images (called GIFs), such as dancing bananas or twirling words.

 

Freelance writer Bev Bachel lives in Minneapolis and uses her phone to talk, text and email friends and family around the world. She’s the author of What Do You Really Want? How to Set a Goal and Go For It!

Article: Copyright © iHaveNet

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