Facebook's Secret Conversations | Parent Zone (2024)

Secret conversations: what next?

Secret Conversations echoes features other apps, such as Snapchat, have had for some time, but there are safety implications for parents to consider if your child has a Facebook account.

Legally, they can sign up for the service from the age of 13. This means children will be able to have completely private conversations with anyone they are friends with on Facebook. The main difference between this and the previous ‘direct messaging’ feature is that these conversations cannot be accessed on devices other than the one the conversation is created on.

Some parents of younger children only allow them to open a Facebook account in return for knowing their password so they can monitor what they are doing in the app. If this is you, you should be aware that this feature means that children could be having private conversations on their phones that you will never see if you log into their account on another device.

One other thing to note is that if someone sends your child something that upsets them, the messages will disappear. Facebook says it can decrypt communications (up to 30 of the most recent messages in a Secret Conversation)to check the content if you contact its Help Team to report them.

But if someone has been cyberbullying your child, for example, it looks like they will have to remember to screenshot the message to provide proof of what was said, unless they think to report it pretty much immediately.

As ever, one of the best things you can do to keep your child safe using any social media app, or when going online in general, is to talk to them about the possible safety implications of the platforms they are using. Teach them how to block users they don't want to talk to, and encourage them to come to you or an adult they trust if anyone they talk to online does anything to make them feel upset or uncomfortable.

To read Facebook's advice about Secret Conversations and discover how to report posts when using it, click here.

Spot something that doesn't look quite right? You can emaillibrarian@parentzone.org.ukto submit comments and feedback.

This article was last updated on 06/07/22.

Facebook's Secret Conversations | Parent Zone (2024)

FAQs

Facebook's Secret Conversations | Parent Zone? ›

The feature provides users with device keys that ensure no one can sneak a peek at what they say to each other. The messages that are sent and received are only available to read on the device you use to either create or open your conversation.

How can I see my secret chat history on Facebook? ›

Bonus: How to Find Hidden Messages on Facebook
  1. Step 1: Open Facebook on a web browser from your desktop. ...
  2. Step 2: Select Options. ...
  3. Step 3: Select Message Requests. ...
  4. Step 4: You will see a list of hidden Facebook Messages in a secret folder. ...
  5. Step 5: Select the option "See All in Messenger"

How can I see my secret conversation history? ›

How to view secret conversations on Messenger. You can view your secret conversations like any other message; just choose it from the list of open message threads on the main screen of the Messenger app. There will be a lock symbol next to the contact name, which indicates that it's not a regular chat.

Can you hide secret conversations on Facebook? ›

If you want to hide a secret message from your inbox without deleting it, you can archive it instead.

How do I know if my partner has a secret conversation on Messenger? ›

It's worth noting that if you send someone a message through Secret Conversations, they will know it's a secret chat because the message bubble, which is usually blue, will be black. Next to their image it will read 'Encrypted from one device to the other' to let both parties know they're engaged in a "Secret" chat.

How can I retrieve deleted messages from Facebook Messenger? ›

  1. You can recover deleted messages from Facebook Messenger by downloading them or checking old email notifications.
  2. You can also recover them by looking in the cache of the Messenger app, if you use Android.
  3. You can also check your archived messages or ask the person you were messaging with for a copy.
Jan 13, 2023

Do secret conversations show up on all devices? ›

You can only access a secret conversation on the device the you created it on. You can send secret conversations from another device, but you won't be able to see any previous messages. When you sign in to Messenger on a new device, you won't see the messages from previous secret conversations.

What is the difference between vanish mode and secret conversation? ›

Vanish Mode is similar in ways to Messenger's existing secret conversation mode that lets you enter an end-to-end encrypted chat that's saved only on your device, although the new mode is designed to delete anything sent forever once it's been viewed.

Why would someone use vanish mode in Messenger? ›

Vanish mode helps if you worry that the user on the other end will screenshot or record your messages. It is also a security precaution if you feel that someone might snoop on your chats.

What does it mean when someone has a secret conversation on Messenger? ›

A secret conversation in Messenger is encrypted end to end, which means the messages are intended just for you and the other person – not anyone else, including us. Bear in mind that the person you're messaging could choose to share the conversation with others (e.g. in a screenshot).

Can you recover permanently deleted Messenger chats? ›

Third-party data recovery software can also help you recover permanently deleted messages on Facebook Messenger. However, you need to note that the software can only be useful only if you have made a backup for your messages. Besides, you should install data recovery software before the file deletion.

Are deleted messages on Messenger gone forever? ›

A Facebook message that has been deleted is permanently lost, at least in terms of Facebook Messenger. However, there are steps you may take to recover those messages from other archives or downloads of Facebook Messenger, as well as your app's cache.

How to recover permanently deleted messages on Messenger on iPhone? ›

How to retrieve a deleted message or conversation
  1. In Messages, tap Edit on the conversations page. If you previously turned Message Filtering on, the Edit button doesn't appear. Instead, tap Filters on the conversations page.
  2. Tap Show Recently Deleted .
Jan 12, 2023

What do the keys mean in secret conversations? ›

If the keys match, you know the conversation is secure between these devices. For example: Alyssa taps You on her phone and sees 123. Her friend Brandon taps her name on his phone, and he sees 123. This means that the keys for Alyssa and Brandon match, so they know their conversation is secure on these devices.

How long does secret conversation last? ›

The timer value ranges from 5 seconds to as long as 24 hours. While you can send text, voice messages, and images over Secret Conversation, you can't send payments nor hold group chats with the mode turned on. Secret Conversation is purely designed to keep a conversation between two parties secret.

Can you tell if someone is checking your Messenger? ›

A filled-in blue circle next to your message means that your message was delivered. And, when a friend has read your message, a small version of your friend's photo will appear next to your message. Virgil McCaslin and 20,008 others like this.

How do you find hidden conversations on iPhone? ›

How to Unhide Messages on iPhone
  1. Go to Settings and click Notifications.
  2. Swipe down the screen and find Messages > Tap on Messages.
  3. Allow Notifications. ...
  4. Here you can choose to unhide alerts from the Lock Screen, Notification Center, and Banners, or select all to show text conversations.
Oct 27, 2022

How do I find hidden or deleted messages on my iPhone? ›

Recover deleted text messages on your iPhone or iPad
  1. In Messages, tap Edit on the conversations page. If you previously turned Message Filtering on, the Edit button doesn't appear. Instead, tap Filters on the conversations page.
  2. Tap Show Recently Deleted .
Jan 12, 2023

How do I retrieve deleted messages from secret conversations? ›

3. How to See Deleted Secret Conversations on Someone's Messenger?
  1. Access the device of the person whose conversations you want to read and open Facebook Messenger.
  2. Find and select Recent conversations.
  3. Use the search tool to find the conversation archived earlier.
  4. Tap the three-dot icon and choose Hidden chats.
Dec 2, 2021

Can I get a copy of my spouse's text messages? ›

Generally, texts and emails are private. Thus, you don't have a right to look at them without your spouse's consent. Doing so is viewed as an invasion of privacy. It doesn't matter whether you are married, separated or divorced.

Can you hide a text conversation on iPhone? ›

Hiding specific contacts or conversations on an iPhone

Step 1: Click on the message you want to block. Step 2: Tap the contact's name at the top of the message to open the taskbar. Step 3: Toggle Hide Alerts to the on position.

What are the keys for in secret conversations? ›

You and whoever you're talking to in an end-to-end encrypted chat are the only people who have unique and matching keys that can access the conversation. No one can read your encrypted messages except the people who have these keys— not even Meta.

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