Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Find

App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Messages is a messaging app. That's it. It does one thing—texting—and it does it well. The encryption is solid, the interface is clean, and there are no ads or algorithmic shenanigans. But here's the deal: giving your kid a messaging app is essentially giving them a direct line to anyone with a phone number, with zero supervision unless you set it up separately.

For teens who are ready for that level of independence, Messages is fine. It's functional, it's what most Android users have by default, and it's a necessary tool for modern life. But 'ready' is doing a lot of work in that sentence. Your kid needs to know how to handle unwanted contact, navigate group chat drama, avoid sharing inappropriate content, and come to you when something feels off. If they're not there yet, this app is a risk.

Messages isn't the problem—unsupervised digital communication is the challenge. If you're handing your 10-year-old an Android phone with Messages enabled and no monitoring app, you're essentially giving them the keys to the car before they can drive. For older teens with established trust and good judgment, it's a non-issue. For everyone else, proceed with caution and a plan.

Age Fit

This is a tool for teens (13+) who are ready for unsupervised digital communication and have demonstrated good judgment. For younger kids, consider kid-specific messaging apps with parental controls (like Messenger Kids). If your teen has Messages, you need active conversations about boundaries, digital citizenship, and a monitoring plan that works for your family.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

50

As a messaging app, Messages is a neutral communication tool—its wholesomeness entirely depends on who your child is texting and what they're saying. The app itself doesn't model behavior or create content; it's a conduit. End-to-end encryption between Google Messages users is a privacy win, but the app enables direct, private communication with anyone, which can be positive (staying in touch with grandma) or concerning (unsupervised contact with strangers or peers engaging in bullying). No built-in parental controls or content filtering.

Imaginative

35

Messages is purely functional—it's for texting, not creating or exploring. The 'Magic Compose' AI feature and custom chat bubbles/selfie GIFs add minor personalization, but this isn't a platform that sparks creativity or curiosity. It's a utility app, not an imaginative playground. Kids aren't building worlds or expressing themselves artistically; they're just sending texts.

Safe

40

This is where messaging apps get tricky. Messages itself has strong technical safety features: end-to-end encryption for Google Messages-to-Google Messages chats, spam protection, and no ads in the core experience. However, it's an open communication platform—kids can text anyone with a phone number, receive messages from unknown contacts, and share/receive photos and videos without content filtering. There's no parental oversight built in, no ability to monitor who's contacting your child, and group chats can quickly become toxic or expose kids to inappropriate content from peers. The app doesn't create the danger, but it's a wide-open door. For younger kids or those not ready for unsupervised digital communication, this is a significant concern.

Enriching

45

Messaging apps can teach digital communication skills, etiquette, and help kids maintain relationships—all valuable in 2025. Texting is a life skill. However, Messages doesn't offer educational content, skill-building activities, or meaningful growth opportunities beyond basic communication. It's functional and necessary for modern life, but not particularly enriching. The entertainment value is entirely dependent on the conversations happening, not the app itself.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

End-to-end encryption for Google Messages conversations means true privacy (even Google can't read them)
Essential communication tool for teens to coordinate with friends, family, and eventually employers/teachers
No ads, no algorithm, no infinite scroll—it's just texting, which is refreshingly simple in 2025
RCS features (typing indicators, high-res media, read receipts) make it feel modern and functional
Teaches digital communication norms, texting etiquette, and relationship maintenance skills

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What to Watch For

Zero parental controls built in—you'll need a third-party monitoring app (like Bark or similar) if you want visibility into conversations
Anyone with your child's phone number can text them, including unknown contacts, which opens the door to spam, scams, or unwanted contact
Group chats can spiral quickly—drama, bullying, inappropriate content shared by peers, and FOMO are all real concerns
Photos and videos can be sent/received without filtering, so kids may encounter or share inappropriate content
Deleted messages are gone—no way to review what was said unless you're actively monitoring in real-time

Conversation Starters

"Who are you texting most often? Are there any conversations that feel stressful or uncomfortable?"
"If someone you don't know texts you, what would you do? Let's talk through some scenarios."
"Have you ever been in a group chat that got out of hand? What happened, and how did you handle it?"
"What are our family rules about texting—like, when do you need to show me a conversation or ask for help?"
"How do you know when something is better said in person versus over text?"

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