{"id":102508,"date":"2020-07-04T07:00:31","date_gmt":"2020-07-04T14:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"\/blogs\/?p=102508"},"modified":"2025-08-20T05:28:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-20T12:28:06","slug":"messenger-rooms-new-video-chat-option-is-fun-but-has-risks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/messenger-rooms-new-video-chat-option-is-fun-but-has-risks\/","title":{"rendered":"Messenger Rooms: New Video Chat Option is Fun But Has Risks"},"content":{"rendered":"

One of the many things we\u2019ve learned during this season of being homebound is that video chats with friends can save the day. One of the newest channels for video chatting is Messenger Rooms. While the new Facebook feature isn\u2019t groundbreaking in terms of how it works, it\u2019s the ability to pull together a big group of friends spontaneously that may make this a popular digital hangout for kids.<\/p>\n

The Basics<\/h2>\n

Messenger Rooms functions similarly to the popular video conferencing app Zoom. The exception: There\u2019s no need for users (or guests) to download a new app, create an account, or send out pre-planned meeting invites.<\/p>\n

Messenger Rooms is simple. One person sets up a Messenger Room,<\/a> that Room is assigned a URL, the organizer sends his or her friends that link, and those friends can instantly click it and be in the room. With so many families still opting to avoid large gatherings, Rooms may be the next best way to socialize in the most organic, pre-pandemic way.<\/p>\n

The app makes it easy to watch movies together since one user screen can be pinned to the top of the chat for shared viewing. Kids can also have game nights, birthday parties, organize workout and study groups, or have a \u201csquad hangout\u201d as the Room title options call out (see graphic, below).<\/p>\n

The Fun\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A few specific features may make Messenger Rooms appealing to kids. First, it\u2019s easy to drop friends a link and be together almost instantly in a private room. Messenger Rooms is free, doesn\u2019t have time limits, and up to 50 friends can get together in one room \u2014 from anywhere in the world. Kids joining a Room from their mobile app can apply quirky filters to their backgrounds or faces, which brings in the creativity element they get from Instagram Stories and Snapchat.<\/p>\n

The Risks<\/h2>\n

Privacy.<\/strong>\u00a0So far, privacy seems to be the biggest concern being raised and here\u2019s why. Messenger Rooms, like Facebook, collects metadata from users \u2014 including guests without Facebook accounts. Metadata may include the people you talk with, at what times, and how often, all of which can be shared with a third party. Also, Messenger Rooms, while it does not record calls (like Zoom), lacks end-to-end encryption, which makes the channel vulnerable to hackers and compromises private conversations.<\/p>\n

Troublemakers.\u00a0<\/strong>Live chat rooms are not password-protected, so if a Room organizer decides to make a Room public or fails to lock a room they intended to be private, anyone can pop in and do anything. Much like the Zoom bombers emerging, anyone could crash a meeting with racial rants or graphic content. A link to a room can also be shared with others by anyone who has the link.<\/p>\n

Cyberbullying.<\/strong>\u00a0As with any app, conflicts can arise as can cyberbullying or harassment.<\/p>\n

The Conversation<\/h2>\n

If you notice your kids using Messenger Rooms, you may consider having a few conversations that highlight the risks.<\/p>\n