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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

WTAF is Kik?!?!

30 replies

snash12 · 06/02/2018 16:14

One of my best mates is on a dating website looking for an actual long term relationship, we were together last night and she said lots of men who are in relationships / married keep asking if she has "Kik" - we looked it up and its a messagaing app but you don't need the persons phone number, just a made up username.

It just made me think of all the poor people on here who suspect their partners and its all facebook, whatsapp and texts and now it seems theres this bloody anonymous app!!!

Surely you would only have it on your phone if you have something to hide. It made me feel ill when she said most men ask if she has it and if she would be up for some "NSA" fun.

What's wrong with people!??!

OP posts:
snash12 · 06/02/2018 16:14

Sorry just realised i didn't even as a AIBU, it was a rant :-/

OP posts:
arcticnead1984 · 06/02/2018 16:15

Yup..Kik is an app where you dont need a phone number.

Just make up a username.

Welcome to hell!

snash12 · 06/02/2018 16:16

I feel so sad about it!

OP posts:
falsepriest · 06/02/2018 16:16

Just a messaging app, like whatsapp but with a username not your phone number. Also has groups for various topics/interests you can join as you see fit.

titchy · 06/02/2018 16:16

Is t Facebook messenger the same in that you don't need your phone number Confused

NotSoSprightly · 06/02/2018 16:17

What is the difference between having their number and messaging them or not having it and messaging them? It's still an app you need where you'd see the messages if you looked much the same as if it were WhatsApp.

The only thing I can think of is that you wouldn't be able to Google the number?

Gatehouse77 · 06/02/2018 16:17

I have heard of this because a few year ago it caused huge problems at DC's school - anonymous bullying.

I guess if people really want to cheat they'll find a way...

titchy · 06/02/2018 16:17

Or email?

Isn't not having a phone number linked a good thing?

StickThatInYourPipe · 06/02/2018 16:18

I think that would be good for dating sites, you can talk over a messenger service without giving your mobile number. It’s like snap chat I guess but without the msgs disappearing.

Unless I have totally misunderstood what it is of course!

Lalalaleah · 06/02/2018 16:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

snash12 · 06/02/2018 16:19

not having anything associated with it that links it back to a person opens it for all kinds of abuse.

Facebook messenger is linked to your profile, so generally you would know who you're talking to.

I was just shocked that so many people were asking my friend if she had this app, it seems popular in being unfaithful.

OP posts:
falsepriest · 06/02/2018 16:20

IME, those (men) who ask for "kik" over whatsapp or snapchat are so they can a) hide their number, and b) save anything you send them without you noticing, and c) upload any old photos from their library rather than being forced to take one at the time. You can do the maths from there.

StickThatInYourPipe · 06/02/2018 16:24

falsepriest

Ah yeah if you already had those things, I think it would be dodgy. But not if you were say, a young woman trying online dating and not wanting to give out her telephone numnber to people but wanting a decent chat profile. In that scenario, I think it could be useful.

snash12 · 06/02/2018 16:25

@stickthat

I agree with that, I guess it didn't cross my mind as I came across it from a different aspect

OP posts:
falsepriest · 06/02/2018 16:27

StickThatInYourPipe

Fair point :)

titchy · 06/02/2018 16:35

Facebook profiles can be made up ask any teenager

Tbh any sort of messaging app can be abused or used sensibly. It's the user that makes it bad or good, not the app.

dadshere · 06/02/2018 16:43

I may be being stupid, but I still do not know what a 'KiK' is.

LivingInMidnight · 06/02/2018 16:45

Kik was popular before whatsapp, it's not new.

Skarossinkplunger · 06/02/2018 16:49

I used Kik before WhatsApp and a lot of my American friends used it. No unfaithfulness, just friends messaging each other.

falsepriest · 06/02/2018 16:51

Just wait until they all insist they chat over "Line" :')

Birdsgottafly · 06/02/2018 16:52

dadshare its an app that you download. You create a user name and you can be found just by that. Unlike WhatsApp, the phone number doesn't show up, it isn't linked to you. Any evidence doesn't show up on itemised phone bills etc. You can just delete the App and its Like you never used it. Really useful if you have a suspicious spouse that wants to look through your phone.

eyeswideshit · 06/02/2018 16:53

I like Kik for the fact you can ask for a picture that's taken from the camera, meaning it's less likely to be a catfish that's using stock photos

falsepriest · 06/02/2018 16:54

eyeswideshit

Oooh, that's changed since I last used it. Good change.

Whatshallidonowpeople · 06/02/2018 16:54

Why are you sad about it? No one forces anyone to have it or use it.

FissionChips · 06/02/2018 16:58

I use KIK to chat to people from the online, I’m not giving out my phone number to random individuals!

No intention of ever cheating either.