Navigating the digital world with your child

Parent Guidance for setting up WhatsApp Parental Controls

WhatsApp is a popular messaging app. The advised minimum user age is 16+ due to data protection GDPR legislation and the information WhatsApp collects about its users such as phone numbers and information on the device that is using WhatsApp. We know it is an app used by our pupils many years before they turn 16 and it is important to be aware of the potential pitfalls that exist here. Groups can be created which can contain up to 100 users and users can only be added and removed by the person who has created the group or is granted admin rights. From a School perspective we know how easy groups chats can quickly become toxic. Children can use them to exclude and be unkind to one another and individuals ‘spam’ groups with messages at inappropriate times repeatedly posting messages to the group late at night or early morning which leads to disrupted sleep in children and an excessive number of notifications and messages received in the morning! We strongly recommend your child does not set up or get involved in a school whole year group WhatsApp messaging group. If your child is not happy with the conversations going on in a group chat encourage them to leave the group. Talk through with your child about messaging etiquette and the importance of messaging when it is appropriate. It is important that we as adults, model this to them to help them learn. You may also want to consider how easily misinformation can be spread on your group chats. As we find with most messaging apps, WhatsApp can be used to share both positive and negative messages. It can be used by children to spread rumours, threats and images which may cause distress to others. It’s important to remember that all messaging services that allow interaction also give the ability to block an individual. It is worth encouraging your child to screenshot anything they are concerned or upset about and share it with an adult. WhatsApp now includes a location-based service in live location which allows your child to attach a GPS location to a message. It is important to discuss the risks of oversharing this with your child and question why a location should be added to a message for friends or a group rather than sharing it because others in their peer group do.