Is KakaoTalk Safe? A Review for Parents

Harmful Content 😲

KakaoTalk has “Open Chats”, which are groups based on interests that anyone can join. This open access to strangers with no previous connection is a major risk for children on the platform. In addition, direct messages (which support media sharing) between users are private and unmonitored by KakaoTalk directly unless reported by one of the users in the chat. Users can also engage in video or audio calls, which can be recorded directly in the app. Also worth noting is that ads are built into the app, which can entice kids to download other apps or expose them to inappropriate content.

Predation 🚨

As mentioned above, there are a host of risks associated with KakaoTalk. From Open Chats to direct video and audio calls, there are many avenues for predators to establish communication with children.

Privacy 🔒

By default, KakaoTalk has minimal privacy protections enabled. Your profile is public, and anyone can add you. Your public profile also features a Snapchat-like interface that lets you post photos of yourself and create a bio. You can lock much of this down, making your profile only accessible to friends that you have added.

Parental Controls ✅

KakaoTalk claims that its app is safe for children when parental controls are enabled. You can block non-friends from communicating with your child and automatically filter slang and profanity. That being said, calls are still unmonitored, as is shared media.

Bark can also help you keep your child safer on KakaoTalk. With Bark, you can:

• Block KakaoTalk.
• Manage when your child can use it throughout the day.

So, should my kid download it?

If you enable parental controls, KakaoTalk becomes less harmful, but there are still concerning dangers associated with the app. We’d recommend KakaoTalk for kids aged 13+.