In this guide
What is WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a social messaging app from Meta that is used by over 2.7 billion people every month. It lets users message others via their mobile network, Wifi network or, via WhatsApp Web, their broadband network.
Users can send text, voice and video messages, make voice and video calls and share information and documents.
What is WhatsApp Web?
WhatsApp Web lets users connect their mobile to a web browser. If your child is not allowed to use their mobile, they might instead connect to the web app to continue messaging friends. However, they will need their smartphone to connect.
Learn more about WhatsApp Web here.
Using Chat Lock
Chat Lock is a feature available for individual chats on WhatsApp. It adds additional privacy to individual chats through the use profile. Then, on the Chats screen in the app, it appears under ‘Locked chats’.
To set up locked chats, you must set up face or fingerprint recognition. So, when you need to access these chats, you’ll need to use the face or fingerprint scanner.
For parents who share a smartphone with their child, this can protect messages from being accessed. However, if your child uses WhatsApp and has locked chats, it’s a good idea to ask them about it as a part of regular conversations. This will help you stay on top of who they’re chatting to.
How it works
WhatsApp let users send messages and content to contacts added to their account. To use the service in the UK, users must be 13-years-old or older (as of April 2024. The minimum age for WhatsApp used to be 16).
Only people who have a WhatsApp account can send and receive messages through the app or WhatsApp Web. However, depending on your child’s privacy settings, anyone can contact them or add them to group chats.
By default, the app shows whether a message was delivered, read, seen or played. These are called Read Receipts. However, users can disable Read Receipts in the app’s settings.
Other things to know about WhatsApp
What information can users see and share?
- Last Seen: This is a timestamp that shows users the last time your child used their WhatsApp account. Users can customise who can see this in settings.
- Status Message: This can be customised to show what the person wants to share with their contacts.
- Online: This tells your contacts if you are online. Users can customise who can see this in settings.
Remember: By default, WhatsApp automatically sets privacy settings to public. If you don’t share your last seen information, you won’t be able to see other people’s last seen information. This applies to Read Receipts and other features as well.
Settings to manage who can see information
There are four settings to manage what information is shared:
- Everyone: This option will show your information to all users.
- My contacts: Only your contacts can see information about you.
- My contacts except…: Users can choose to hide their information from individual contacts.
- Nobody: No content will be shown to any user. Your child can change this setting to “My contacts” so that only their contacts are able to see this information. However, you should monitor who they add.
Privacy and safety settings
See our WhatsApp step-by-step guide to set privacy safety settings on the social messaging app. These help keep children safe online while they chat with their friends.
Other customisable features include:
- turn off location-sharing
- managing disappearing messages
- customise groups
- enabling fingerprint lock
- setting up two-step verification
What are groups?
WhatsApp groups are normal chats that include multiple users. Anyone can add your child to a group unless you change their group privacy settings within the app. Just like one-to-one chats, users can send text, video, images and more. These chats are end-to-end encrypted as well.
What is WhatsApp Communities?
WhatsApp Communities works similar to online forums. A community might contain multiple groups that people can join and chat to others in. Again, these messages are encrypted.
Community admins can share announcements and updates while members can create smaller groups.
Children joining WhatsApp Communities advertised online face risks of inappropriate content, grooming and more. Encourage your child to gain your permission before joining any community or group so that you can check if it’s safe.
Can others track my child on WhatsApp?
Location tracking (Live Location) is automatically turned off on WhatsApp. When turned on, users can see your live location. Users can control how long they share their location for.
When reviewing your child’s WhatsApp settings, ensure this remains turned off.
What is end-to-end encryption?
End-to-end encryption is a form of message security. It means that only the sender and recipient can read what’s sent. So, moderators and third-parties cannot view any of the content.
You can learn more about end-to-end encryption or E2EE here.
How does end-to-end encryption work in WhatsApp?
WhatsApp uses end-to-end encryption in all messages. This means that WhatsApp cannot view the messages sent between users. While this offers more security for those over 18, this could lead to online safety risks for children and teens.
However, you can help their messages stay safe by securing their account using our step-by-step guide and by having regular conversations about their time online.
Available safety features
To make sure your child only receives messages from people they trust they can block, delete or report users.
- Delete users: Show and encourage your child how to delete users they don’t know or who make them feel worried or angry.
- Block users: As well as deleting users, show your child how to block users. Blocked users cannot contact them. Any updates to their status, profile image and last seen timestamps are hidden. Users will not notify them.
- Reporting users: If you receive a message from an unknown contact, you can Report and block them. This will report the user and add the user your Blocked list.
What is the app lock for WhatsApp?
For additional security, users can set up a Screen or Fingerprint lock. These features are different for Android and Apple. See how to enable this on Android here.
Is WhatsApp safe for children?
Meta requires users in the UK to be 13 or older to use the app. This lowered from 16 in 2024.
This reduced age requirement allows more young people to use the platform. Additionally, children under this age still use WhatsApp to connect and communicate with friends, family and communities. While this can benefit children’s wellbeing, parents must take actions to make sure their accounts are safe at any age. Risks include inappropriate content or contact from strangers.