What is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a messaging app owned by Meta. It offers end-to-end encrypted text messages, voice and video calls, group chats, status updates and file sharing. WhatsApp has over 3 billion users globally and is one of the most widely used messaging apps in Europe.
WhatsApp is rolling out parent-managed accounts for children under the usual age limit in countries where the feature is available. A parent or guardian can manage who may contact the child, which groups the child can join, and some privacy settings. Availability and exact controls may vary by country and app version.
Age rating: 13, or higher where local rules require it. For younger children, a parent or guardian may be able to create a managed account where WhatsApp offers this.
Why do kids like it?
- Group chats for everything. School, friends, sports teams, family — many activities are organised through WhatsApp groups.
- Free international communication. Messages, photos and calls work worldwide at no extra cost.
- Voice messages. Faster than typing, more personal than text — children often prefer them.
- Simple to use. Minimalist design that most people find easy to learn.
- Parents use it too. Because parents are often already on WhatsApp, it feels “approved” and safe.
What are the real risks?
- Contact from strangers. On a standard account, people who have a child’s phone number can send a message, and group invitations can come through links. On parent-managed accounts, guardians can approve contacts and groups, but the feature is not available everywhere.
- No content moderation. Because messages are end-to-end encrypted, WhatsApp cannot see or moderate content. What is shared in a chat stays between the participants.
- Cyberbullying in groups. Group chats make it easy to bully, exclude or create groups about someone without adults knowing.
- Forwarding and resharing. Misinformation, inappropriate images and private messages can spread quickly through forwarding, screenshots or further sharing.
- Location sharing. Live location can be shared in any chat, revealing a child’s real-time whereabouts for up to eight hours.
Settings to check
- Set privacy defaults: Open Settings → Privacy, and set profile photo, last seen and about to “My contacts”.
- Enable two-step verification: Open Settings → Account → Two-step verification → Turn on. This adds extra security to the account.
- Restrict group additions: Open Settings → Privacy → Groups, and set to “My contacts” so only saved contacts can add your child to groups.
- Review live location: Open Settings → Privacy → Live location, and check that no active location shares are running.
- Run Privacy Checkup: Open Settings → Privacy → Privacy Checkup, and review contact controls, personal info, chat privacy and account protection.
- Enable advanced chat privacy: Open a chat → tap the contact or group name → Advanced chat privacy, and turn on. This prevents media auto-saving, chat export and Meta AI access in that chat.
- Check linked devices: Open Settings → Linked devices, and verify that no unknown devices have access to the account.
How to talk about it
“What kinds of group chats are you in, and how do you notice whether everyone there is someone you know?”
“What do you do when you receive forwarded messages or images that feel unclear or uncomfortable?”
“What do you think happens to messages, images or location sharing after someone screenshots or shares them further?”
Last reviewed: July 2026