Meta’s kid-focused Messenger app is getting a dark mode and new voice effects

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Messenger Kids have new features.

The image is called Meta.

Messenger Kids, the child-friendly version of Meta's Messenger service (aka Facebook Messenger), is being updated with a dark mode, as well as new audio effects for voice messages, the service has announced.

The dark mode that came to the main Messenger app at the beginning of the year is also coming to the version of the app that is designed for children between the ages of six and 12. It's perfect for kids preparing for a difficult teenage goth phase. It will be coming to the app on the iPad and then on the phone.

Voice effects will be coming to the service in the weeks ahead, and will be available on the app first. They sound like a fun addition to the service, working with the existing voice messages feature to let a child sound like a robot, ghost, gorilla, mouse, or like they're talking into a seashell. After recording a voice message, you can change it before it is sent.

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There are five different voice effects.

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Messenger Kids is also adjusting its games feature to let children start two-player games from within a chat using the orange controller icon. They were hidden in a separate Explore tab. This change is coming to both the iPad and the phone.

Messenger Kids has had its share of controversy, but has largely been under the radar in recent years. It was forced to publicly distance itself from reports that it was working on a version of its website for children under the age of 13 earlier this year. Messenger Kids has escaped similar levels of criticism because of its offensive features.