WHATSAPP
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MINIMUM AGE: 13+
WHAT IS IT? WhatsApp is a social messaging app from Meta. It allows users to send text, voice, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share information and documents through mobile, Wi-Fi, or WhatsApp Web. WHAT WE SAY: Treat with caution. 🚨Disappearing Messages: WhatsApp disappearing messages (inc. media files) allow users to send messages that automatically delete after a set period, typically seven days. This feature can be turned on for individual or group chats, and both the sender and recipient are notified when it's enabled. You can still take screenshots or copy messages, so it doesn't guarantee complete privacy. 🚨View Once The WhatsApp "View Once" feature allows users to send photos and videos that can only be viewed one time by the recipient. When the recipient opens the media, it disappears after being viewed and cannot be accessed again. Senders can activate this feature by selecting the "View Once" icon before sending. 🔐Chat Lock & Pin Lock WhatsApp chat lock and Pin Lock is a feature that allows users to secure specific chats with a password, fingerprint, or facial recognition, adding an extra layer of privacy. Locked chats are hidden from the main chat list, making them less visible to others who may use the same device, while still allowing users to receive messages and notifications. This feature is useful for those wanting to keep certain conversations private. 🆘 Secret Codes WhatsApp secret codes refer to various hidden features and commands that enhance the messaging experience. Users can utilize features like starring important messages, muting chats, archiving conversations, and creating shortcuts for quick access. Users can also check the last seen status of contacts and access WhatsApp on computers through WhatsApp Web by scanning a QR code. 🔐 Privacy & Data Sharing WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption, meaning only the sender and receiver can see messages. However, it does collect metadata (such as who was messaged and when), and it shares some information with parent company Meta (formerly Facebook), which may raise privacy concerns. 📱 Cyberbullying and Group Pressure Children can experience bullying through private chats or group messages. Group chats can also be used to spread gossip or inappropriate content, and young users may feel pressure to participate or respond constantly. 🧑💻 Online Predators & Grooming Because WhatsApp allows anyone with a phone number to message another user, strangers—including potential predators—can contact children directly if they have their number. 🔞 Inappropriate Content Sharing WhatsApp allows the sharing of all media types. This can include inappropriate images, videos, or links, which may be shared among peers or sent by strangers. 📍 Location Sharing WhatsApp allows real-time location sharing, which, if misused, could reveal a child’s whereabouts to strangers or unsafe contacts. ⚠️Add Everyone The "Add Everyone" feature in WhatsApp allows group admins to quickly add multiple participants to a chat without individual invitations, which simplifies group expansion and ensures that admins retain control over membership. This feature has raised concerns, particularly with group chats (often created by adults) that invite children and young people to engage in potentially harmful discussions involving inappropriate content such as sexual images, self-harm, and racism. |
🛡️SAFETY TIPS:
📲Understand the app: Familiarise yourself with WhatsApp's features and how they work. Knowing how the app works will help you guide your child effectively. 👨👧Parental supervision: Check their interactions and adjust privacy settings accordingly. Try to stay up-to-date on Internet trends and best practices. 📢Underage Accounts: WhatsApp might have an age restriction but it lacks a proper age verification process. Therefore, there’s little stopping users from faking their dates of birth or creating bogus profiles and targeting children and young people. 👥Manage friend requests: Teach your child only to accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 📷 Cover the Webcam When Not in Use Physically cover your camera when you're not ready to go live. Always be mindful of what’s visible in your background—it can reveal location clues. 🧠 Trust Your Instincts If something feels uncomfortable, it is uncomfortable. Leave the chat immediately and don’t engage with users who seem suspicious, aggressive, or inappropriate. 🖥️ Place Devices in Shared Spaces Keep internet-connected devices in living rooms or kitchens, not bedrooms. This makes risky behavior less likely and easier to notice. 🙋♀️Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. 🚨 Know the Signs of Trouble Watch for behaviour changes—like anxiety, secrecy, mood swings, or suddenly deleting apps. These can signal something inappropriate happened online. 💬Conversations: Have open discussions with children and young people about the topics associated with online use - bullying, grooming, sexual and criminal exploitation, body image, as well as accessing support and how to report. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. FURTHER SUPPORT: For parents/ carers If you're worried about your child or need support call NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you discover criminal content when online then report it directly to the police or the Internet Watch Foundation. If you're worried about online grooming or sexual behaviour online then report directly to the police or contact CEOP. For Children & young people if they're worried or want to talk, encourage them to contact Childline Online or call 0800 1111. Check out our Resource Centre for further information and useful online safety tips. 
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