Instant Messaging is fun, but don’t you just want to enjoy the anonymity of it all? Kik is a chat and messaging app where you use a username without providing your phone number! The app also supports live videos and group chats and gives you the space to meet new people.
However, is Kik really what it claims to be? Do you really find nice people to talk to? Can Kik be used as a dating app? Are there any actually good conversations happening on Kik groups? I take a deep dive into this app to give you a detailed review of Kik.
Is Kik App Safe?
I used to be a Kik user for quite a while when I was younger. For this review, I installed Kik after like 4 years and used it for a whole month before writing this review. I have tried and explored all the main features of the app, including going live on it! Based on the time I spent with the app, here are some of my insights.
Key Features
- No need to provide a phone number
- Go live and interact with people
- Meet new people with shared interests
- Can also be used as a dating app
- Create or join interest groups
Age Appropriate Content & Parental Control
Since Kik does not have phone-based verification mechanisms and relies instead on emails, it is easy to quickly create fake accounts here. This can lead to conversations taking a darker turn and moving towards harassment or bullying.
However, Kik’s moderation is pretty good, and upon report, accounts that are found to be violating these rules are instantly banned. There is a high possibility of exposure to adult content on this app, which is not suitable for minors. A large amount of unsolicited photographs are shared on this app too.
Kids under the age of 13 are not allowed on the app. If Kik learns that there is someone younger than 13 on the platform, the account is immediately deactivated. Users between the age of 13-18 need parental permission, but Kik needs no proof of that.
User Interface and Design
Kik, over the years, has gone through various UI and design overhauls. In its current iteration, I find the app to be in a pretty good shape design-wise. Navigation is smooth and flawless, and the app doesn’t really feel clunky or outdated. However, one problem that I faced from time to time was that the app does tend to lag and freeze a lot.
In terms of visual appeal and the overall design style, Kik does pretty well. I found Kik to be pretty easy to use as well. The whites-and-greens of the app are easy on the eyes.
User Reviews and Ratings
Kik has been around for 13 years now. It is one of the most well-known names when it comes to Instant Messaging online. Over the years, the reviews have stabilized, and its App Store rating currently stands at 4.3
The app is praised for the communities that it has developed over the years and for how anonymity has been at the core of it. However, there are frequent complaints about the bugs in the interface that cause the app to lag and freeze from time to time. This is something that I have personally experienced.
Pricing vs Value
Kik is totally free to use, and you are not charged anything to use or download it. However, if you wish to buy Kik Live Credits, you will have to pay for them. These credits are an in-app currency that you can use to buy virtual gifts for people who are streaming live on the platform. These credits range from $0.99 to $399.99
Kik App Alternatives
Over the last 13 years, Kik has seen many alternatives rise and fall. Here are some of the most prominent Kik alternatives in recent times: Meetup, Bumble BFF, LINE messenger, Wizz, Anon Chat, KakaoTalk
Customer Support
Kik can be reached by mailing them or heading over to the ‘submit a request’ portal on the Kik website. I found the Kik team to be pretty responsive, as I got my first response in just 3 hours. However, the second and the third replies took longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kik is pretty safe to use in terms of privacy. However, in case you find someone bothering you on chat, you can report them and block them. The Kik team takes prompt action against such accounts.
No. This is the best thing about the Kik app. Registering on it does not need your phone number at all. The app does not even ask for it.
Kik allowed the use of chatbots as far back as 2017, and since then, a lot of users have released their bots onto the app. These bots can be pretty helpful, as seen with Koko, the emotional support bot.
Yes, the ‘meet new people’ section on the Kik app helps you meet new people from all over the world. This is based on a random matching mechanism.
Wrap Up!
Users all over the world love Kik. The app gives them the thrill of anonymity as well as the ability to instantly connect with their friends while also letting them meet new people from all over the world. The app has added many new features over time, and I hope this review of mine helps you analyze Kik from different perspectives.
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