What Parents and Carers Need to Know About WhatsApp

Image of Dr Claire Sutherland
Dr Claire Sutherland Online safety consultant, educator and researcher
Guide

This online safety guide is an updated examination of WhatsApp – the globally popular messaging platform which contains both old and new hazards for young users.

WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging platform on the planet, with over two billion users (forecast to become three billion by 2025), across more than 180 countries. The majority of those people (70%) open the app at least once a day – but what exactly are they seeing? Contact from strangers, fake news and convincing scams are all among the service’s well-documented hazards. 

 According to Ofcom, WhatsApp is used by more than half of 3- to 17-year-olds in the UK (including one in three from the 8–11 bracket), despite its 16+ age restriction. If your child hops onto WhatsApp to stay in touch with friends or family, our updated #WakeUpWednesday guide to the service contains the key details you’ll need to support them in doing it safely.