Facebook Lite

Zift Advisory

The Facebook Lite app is an optimized version of the original Facebook social media app designed to work better with low-speed connections. It is rated for teen users and is only available in the Google Play Store. There are no in-app purchases, but this app does feature advertisements. This app can be safe for older kids and teens.

About Facebook Lite

What is Facebook Lite?

The Facebook Lite app is an optimized version of the original Facebook social media app designed to work better with low-speed connections.

The Facebook Lite app is rated for teen users and is only available for Android devices in the Google Play Store. There are no in-app purchases but this app does feature advertisements.

Once downloaded from the Google Play Store and installed, users need to create an account (giving email address and password). Users then open the app and will see that the Facebook Lite app offers many of the features of the full Facebook app such as posting updates, liking photos, searching for friends, and following celebrities or brands.

Users can also find and RSVP to local social events, comment on others’ posts and buy/sell in local Facebook Marketplaces.

Just as with the full Facebook app, users can choose who is able to see their posts, photos, etc. by selecting the appropriate privacy settings.

Within the app, there is a Marketplace where users can list goods for sale but the goods can’t be purchased directly from the app. Interested parties would need to contact the seller for more information or to complete the transaction.

Caution should be taken within the Marketplace due to the possibility of predators listing goods that don’t exist. The objective could be to engage with and lure unsuspecting children.

On average, users give this app a rating of 3.8/5.0. Although the app was updated on 12/18/18 to improve reliability and speed, reviews as recent as 12/20/18 suggest that the speed and reliability are still not satisfactory.

Is Facebook Lite safe for my kids?

This app can be safe for older kids and teens with some parental supervision.

Within the Privacy and Security Shortcuts section, there is an area called “Parents Portal” which gives useful tips and practices for keeping children safe while using Facebook Lite . If your teen is on Facebook Lite, friending them is a good way to monitor their activities.

As with the full version, friend suggestions are offered and need to be monitored to ensure that children aren’t engaging with predators. Texting is allowed on the app which could lead to sexting.

Because this is a social networking app, the following is also possible: cyberbullying, tech addiction, online predators, violence or mature themes. Caution should be taken within the Marketplace to avoid predators who may list non-existent goods with the aim of luring children.