cross-posted from: https://lemmy.today/post/63107763
I’m looking for something like Snikket or Prosody, but kids-oriented. I DON’T want my <10 daughter using Meta Messenger Kids! I’ll tell my friends to setup for their kids, too. I’d have no access to anything, so it’s secure (mom and dad not snooping per se), but the downside is minimal parental controls. Though, no one to really add either.
I’ll host or pay for it, IDC. It doesn’t seem like there is much out there either.
JusTalk seemed nice when I found out but apparently China owned and so no more secure. I/we need better options!
Not sure I understand exactly what you are looking for, but: I have a friend who hosts a Matrix homeserver with federation disabled (such as with the federation_domain_whitelist Synapse config) for children to use. It provides a reasonably modern experience, privacy, and control over things.
Note that if you want them to have calls, setting up MatrixRTC is important for having the best experience.
It might help if you described the features that are important to you.
For example, I think I remember someone telling me that Facebook Messenger had a kids version that required parents to approve any contacts that their kids wanted to add. I would never have known about this feature if not for that conversation, and I expect many people here are similarly unaware.
Sure, parental controls. Big whoop. But they’re continuously building shadow profiles and selling everyone’s data. So, while it keeps kids to their own circle, FB of taking note of that, and building up more about extended friends and family circles.
I don’t know what you think I wrote, but it’s pretty clear that you misunderstood somehow.
Good luck.
What’s wrong with Signal?
Signal would be fine, but it’s too “secretive” and has a bad rep because of the while gov spies and leaks and whatnot. I don’t think I can get them on board with that. Worth a shot. Not very “fun” for kids though with filters and stickers, etc.
fwiw my daughter loves the stickers, GIFs and emojis in Signal.
Last I looked at “kid messengers” they were riddled with telemetry if not outright spyware. Something actually secure (if you don’t invite your bully to the group chat) is much better for children.
Really? I guess I’ve never checked for stickers or the like on Signal
Signal has built-in sticker packs, and you can add more. Here’s a directory of sticker packs for Signal: https://signalstickers.org/
Who cares if it has a “bad rep” from ill-informed people? Signal has tons and tons of stickers.
I care bc i have to then convince everyone its not bad so they use it.
I don’t think most people will even know what it is, much less know enough about it to be informed of the drama but not enough to understand that it’s not an issue, but you do you. This seems to fit your qualifications the best.
My brother’s two daughters and my two sons use Signal and love it. They have gotten all their friends to use it too.
