Our age is 14. Caution because of messages from anyone who has the number.
Checked October 2026.
- Our rating
- Use Caution
- Chat
- Text, voice and video, end-to-end encrypted so no one else can read them.
- Spending
- None
- Parent controls
- Teen parental controls and parent-managed accounts for under-13s, rolling out in 2026
- Plays on
- iOS, Android, Web, Windows, Mac
- Users
- 3B+
- Setup
- 9 stops, about 10 minutes
Do these three first
- Control who can add them to groupsSettingsPrivacyGroupsStop strangers from adding them to group chats.
- Hide last seen and online statusSettingsPrivacyLast seen and onlineHiding this stops strangers from learning when they're usually online.
- Turn on two-step verificationSettingsAccountTwo-step verificationProtect the account if someone gets hold of the phone number.
Why we say caution
WhatsApp is the world's most popular messaging app, offering free text, voice, and video communication over the internet. It's particularly popular internationally and for family communication. Messages are end-to-end encrypted, meaning even WhatsApp cannot read them. Since March 2026, WhatsApp has been gradually rolling out parent-managed accounts for children under 13 that limit contact to saved contacts and switch off Meta AI, Channels and Status. In October 2026 it added optional parental controls for teens 13 to 17 (Settings > Parental controls on the teen's phone), which let a linked parent manage privacy settings, Meta AI, Status and Channels without reading any messages. Both are rolling out gradually and may not be in every country yet.
- Anyone Can MessageAny person with your child's phone number can send messages, including strangers and potential predators.
- Unmonitorable EncryptionEnd-to-end encryption means no parental control software can read messages.
- Group Chat RisksGroup chats can include unknown people, and group invites can come from strangers.
- Status/StoriesDisappearing stories feature functions similarly to other social media.
- Forwarding & ViralityMisinformation and inappropriate content spread easily through forwarding.
Talk about it
- Who do you usually WhatsApp with?Understand their communication patterns.
- Have you ever gotten messages from numbers you don't know?Addresses stranger contact.
- What group chats are you in? Who's in them?Opens discussion about group exposure.
- Has anyone ever sent you something that made you uncomfortable?Creates safe space for disclosure.
The full route: 9 stops, about 10 minutes
- Open privacy settings
- Hide last seen and online status
- Restrict the profile photo
- Restrict About and Status
- Control who can add them to groups
- Check live location sharing
- Learn to block contacts
- Turn on two-step verification
- Check the privacy settings
Start the setupFree to follow. With Family, your progress is saved for each child.
The complete WhatsApp parent guide, with age-by-age settings, is part of the Family plan.
The full guide
WhatsApp is a messaging app used by billions worldwide. While primarily for communication with known contacts, it has safety considerations for young users.
Parental Controls (New in 2026)
WhatsApp now has two parent options. Both are rolling out gradually, so they may not show up in your country yet.
Teens 13–17: Parental Controls
Confirm your teen's birthdate and follow the prompts to link to your own WhatsApp account. Once linked:
- You manage who can see your teen's details and who can contact them; your teen can tighten settings, but loosening one needs your parent PIN
- You choose how your teen can use Meta AI, Status and Channels
- You get an activity overview and alerts for key events, such as a new contact being added
- You can't read their messages or listen to calls — those stay end-to-end encrypted
Under 13: Parent-Managed Accounts
On your child's phone, download WhatsApp, choose to add an account, and tap Create a parent-managed account. You'll verify their phone number, confirm their birthdate, and link it to your account with both phones in hand. These accounts:
- Can only message saved contacts by default; anyone else lands in a message requests folder that you approve
- Can only be added to groups by you
- Don't include Meta AI, Channels or Status
- Are protected by a parent PIN that you set from your own phone
Understanding WhatsApp
Key Features
- End-to-End Encryption: Messages are private
- One-on-One Chat: Text, voice, video with contacts
- Group Chats: Up to 1024 people
- Status: Disappearing 24-hour updates
- Voice/Video Calls: Free calling over internet
- File Sharing: Photos, videos, documents
Safety Considerations
- Requires phone number to use
- Group chats can include strangers
- Disappearing messages option
- Can receive messages from anyone with your number
- Status viewable by contacts
Privacy Settings
Access Privacy Settings
Who Can See Last Seen and Online
Options:
- Everyone
- My Contacts
- My Contacts Except...
- Nobody
Recommend: "My Contacts" or "Nobody", and set "Who can see when I'm online" to "Same as last seen".
Who Can See Profile Photo
Set to "My Contacts" so strangers can't see your child's photo.
Who Can See About
Set to "My Contacts" or "Nobody."
Who Can See Status
Options:
- My Contacts
- My Contacts Except...
- Only Share With...
Group Chat Safety
Who Can Add to Groups
Options:
- Everyone: Anyone can add your child to groups
- My Contacts: Only contacts can add them
- My Contacts Except...: Exclude specific people
Set to "My Contacts" to prevent strangers from adding your child to random group chats.
Silence Unknown Callers
Calls from numbers that aren't in your child's contacts stay silent and show up in the call list instead.
Leaving Groups
Your child can leave any group:
Group Invite Links
Groups can have invite links that spread. Teach your child:
- Don't click random group links
- Leave unfamiliar groups immediately
- Report inappropriate groups
Blocking and Reporting
Block Someone
Blocked contacts:
- Can't send messages
- Can't see your status/profile
- Can't see last seen
- Calls don't go through
Report and Block
WhatsApp reviews reported accounts for policy violations.
Disappearing Messages
What Are They?
Messages can be set to auto-delete after 24 hours, 7 days, or 90 days.
Considerations
- Doesn't prevent screenshots
- May give false sense of privacy
- Can be enabled per chat
Check Settings
Review if disappearing messages are enabled in your child's chats.
Two-Step Verification
Add a PIN that's required when registering your phone number again. This prevents account theft.
Live Location
What It Does
Users can share real-time location for 15 minutes, 1 hour, or 8 hours.
Privacy Concerns
- Reveals exact location
- Can be shared accidentally
- May stay on longer than intended
Check If Active
See any active location shares and stop them if needed.
Channels
What Are Channels?
Broadcast channels from organizations/creators that users can follow.
Managing Channels
- Review what channels your child follows
- Unfollow inappropriate channels
- Channels are public content, not private messaging
Meta AI
What It Is
WhatsApp now includes Meta AI, a built-in AI chatbot (the blue-purple circle icon). It can answer questions and generate images, and it cannot be removed from the app.
Considerations
- Chats with Meta AI are not end-to-end encrypted like normal messages — they're processed by Meta
- Anyone 13+ can use it, and teens may turn to it for advice on sensitive topics
- Talk with your child about treating AI answers critically and not sharing personal information with the chatbot
Status Safety
What Is Status?
24-hour disappearing photos/videos visible to contacts (like Instagram Stories).
Status Privacy
- My Contacts: All contacts see status
- My Contacts Except...: Exclude certain people
- Only Share With...: Whitelist specific people
Status Considerations
- Contacts can screenshot status updates
- Be careful what's posted
- Consider limiting audience
Account Security
Linked Devices
See devices connected to the account. Remove unknown devices.
Security Notifications
Get notified when security code changes for contacts.
App Lock
Require a fingerprint or Face ID to open WhatsApp. On iPhone this is called "Screen lock".
What Parents Cannot See
WhatsApp is end-to-end encrypted. This means:
- You cannot remotely read messages
- WhatsApp cannot read messages
- WhatsApp's own parental controls show activity, like new contacts and groups, but never message content
Approaches
- Trust-based: Discuss appropriate use
- Occasional check-ins: Ask to see the app together
- Device access: Know the device passcode
- Open communication: Create environment where they share concerns
Family Group Best Practice
Create a family WhatsApp group for:
- Quick communication
- Location sharing (when needed)
- Staying connected
This normalizes WhatsApp as a family communication tool.
Age-Based Recommendations
We suggest WhatsApp for 14 and up. If your child is already on it younger, these are the settings to tighten for their age.
Under 13
- A parent-managed account, if it's available in your country
- Otherwise, wait until 13
Ages 13-14
- Parental controls linked, if available
- Contacts only for all privacy settings
- Groups restricted to contacts
- Live location OFF
- Regular check-ins about chats
- Family group established
- Discuss what's appropriate to share
Ages 15-17
- Privacy settings configured
- Groups restricted to contacts
- Discuss safety independently
- Trust-based approach
- Open about any concerns
Quick Setup Checklist
Additional Resources
WhatsApp is now configured with appropriate privacy settings. Since WhatsApp is encrypted, ongoing communication about safe messaging practices is essential.