Kik is a cross-platform messaging and social media app for chatting privately or in groups.
Detailed Explanation
Kik uses mobile data or Wi-Fi to send and receive messages. This is comparable to traditional SMS services, but Kik touts additional advantages. It allows users to send photos, GIFs, emojis, and more. It also has live video conversations.
These features are similar to WhatsApp and iMessage, but you don’t have to connect your phone number to your Kik account – you only need an email address and a password to create an account.
The app focuses on privacy and anonymity. Since you don’t use a phone number, Kik allows you to maintain a discreet online identity. Other Kik users only know you by your username.
Kik is unique because it targets teenagers. Around 300 million users and 40% of teens in the U.S. used Kik as of 2016. There have been no further updates to the stats since then.