WhatsApp Safety 101
Help get your child set up safely with a new platform or app, with this quick reference guide.
What is it?
WhatsApp is a messaging app used to send text messages, photos, videos, voice notes, and to make calls. It’s commonly used by young people to stay in touch with friends, family, and group chats (e.g. school groups, sports teams).
Users can:
- Send one-to-one messages
- Create and join group chats
- Share photos, videos, and links
- Send voice messages or make voice/video calls
- See when others are online or have read messages
WhatsApp is phone number-based meaning that contacts are linked to real numbers, and doesn't require any other social media account to use it private messaging-focused as most activity happens in closed chats, not publicly.
For parents and caregivers the key thing to understand is that WhatsApp is often mainly about group communication, where conversations can move quickly and may be harder to step away from.
Why it's popular
WhatsApp appeals to a range of users because:
- It's an easy way to message friends and groups
- It's often used for school groups, sports, and social groups
- Supports voice notes and media sharing
- Feels more private than social media
- Doesn't require public profiles or feeds
What to watch out for
Group chats
Group chats on WhatsApp can include large numbers of people and often move quickly, with constant messages coming through. This can make it hard for young people to keep up and can sometimes lead to conflict, teasing, or feelings of exclusion.
- Ask questions like, “What kind of group chats are you in?” and talk about how those chats feel like whether they’re fun or sometimes stressful. Help your child recognise when it’s okay to mute notifications, leave a group, or step back if things become overwhelming.
Links, images and forwarded content
Messages on WhatsApp often include links, videos, images, or forwarded content. Some of this may be misleading, inappropriate, or shared without context, making it harder for young people to judge what’s trustworthy.
- Encourage your child to pause and check before clicking on anything. Ask questions like, “Do you know where this came from?” to help them think critically about what they receive.
Pressure to respond
WhatsApp shows when messages are delivered and read, which can create pressure to reply quickly. Young people may feel anxious about being “seen” online but not responding straight away.
- Reassure your child that they don’t need to reply immediately and it’s okay to take their time. Helping them set boundaries around communication can reduce pressure and support their wellbeing.
Contact from unknown people
If someone has your child’s phone number, they can message them directly on WhatsApp. This can lead to contact from people they don’t know or weren’t expecting to hear from.
- Talk about only responding to people they know and trust. Encourage them to ignore or block messages from unknown contacts and to come to you if they’re unsure.
5 minute safety settings
Sit together and work through settings to put some basic protections in place, and talk about why they're important.
These settings are designed to reduce contact with strangers, limit inappropriate content and protect privacy.
- Open WhatsApp
- Go to your profile to access settings
- Tap 'Privacy'
- Tap 'Groups'
- Options may include Everyone, My Contacts, or My Contacts Except… to control who can add your child to a group chat.
Set:
- 'My Contacts' or
- 'My Contacts Except…'
This helps prevent unknown people adding your child to group chats.
- Go to the user profile to access settings
- Tap 'Privacy'
- Review and set:
- Last Seen & Online → My Contacts
- Profile Photo → My Contacts
- About → My Contacts
- Status → My Contacts
This reduces visibility of your child's activity on WhatsApp to unknown people.
- Go to the user profile to access settings
- Tap 'Storage and Data'
- Under Media auto-download:
- Review settings for mobile data, Wi-Fi, and roaming
- Turn off automatic downloads where appropriate
This helps avoid exposure to unwanted or inappropriate content.
- Go to the user profile to access settings
- Tap 'Privacy'
- Scroll down to 'Read Receipts'
- Toggle OFF (optional)
This can reduce pressure to respond immediately. This also means your child won’t see others’ read receipts, and note that read receipts are always on in group chats.
How to block someone:
- Open the chat
- Tap the contact name at the top
- Scroll down
- Tap 'Block Contact'
This stops messages and contact from that person. You can also choose to 'Report contact' to the platform if needed.
What else can help?
Support your child to navigate WhatsApp safely...
- Most issues on WhatsApp happen in group chats rather than one-to-one conversations. Groups can involve many people, different dynamics, and fast-moving messages, which can make things harder to manage. Ask questions like, “Which groups are you in?” to understand who they’re interacting with and what those spaces are like.
- It’s okay for your child to leave a group if it feels uncomfortable, overwhelming, or negative. They may worry about what others will think, especially if it’s a friendship group. Reassure them that leaving a group is a normal and important way to protect themselves online.
- Busy WhatsApp groups can generate constant notifications, which can feel distracting or stressful. Showing your child how to mute chats helps them stay in control without needing to leave the group. Encourage them to mute notifications and check messages when they’re ready, rather than feeling pressure to keep up.
- Messages on WhatsApp are text-based and can easily be misunderstood, especially in group settings. Without tone of voice or facial cues, things can come across differently than intended. Encourage your child to think before sending messages and avoid reacting in the moment if something feels upsetting.
- WhatsApp makes it easy to share links, images, and forwarded messages, which aren’t always accurate or appropriate. Some content may be misleading or shared without context. Encourage your child to pause before clicking and ask questions like, “Do you know where this came from?”
- Your child’s experience on WhatsApp can change depending on the groups they’re part of and how those groups evolve. Regular, open conversations help you stay connected and aware. Stay curious with questions like, “What’s happening in your group chats lately?” and keep the conversation relaxed and ongoing.
Learn More
With the right settings and ongoing conversations, Snapchat can be a simple and social way to keep in touch, to manage group communications and to hang out online without the need for a social media profile.
Find more information on staying safe on Snapchat via the links below:
- WhatsApp Safety: https://www.whatsapp.com/safety
- WhatsApp Privacy Settings: https://faq.whatsapp.com
