Kik is an instant messenger application for mobile devices that is available free of charge.
The app is available on iOS, Android, and Windows Phone operating systems and is modelled after BlackBerry Messenger.
Kik messenger uses a smartphone’s data plan or Wi-Fi to transmit and receive messages, photos, videos, sketches, mobile webpages, and other content.
The service can be used by those who have registered a username.
Is Kik safe for kids?
One of the key features of the messenger services is that it helps to preserve a users’ anonymity by allowing a user to register without providing a telephone number and preventing users from being located on the service through any information other than their chosen username.
This has led to controversy due to fears that it is unsafe for minors to use.
In December 2015 there were approximately 240 million registered users, of which 40% are said to be US teenagers.
The initial release of the app was in 2010.
