To communicate instantly, WhatsApp is considered one of the most convenient apps. The app is rated 16 plus and is used by over two billion people. Messages are sent and received within the blink of an eye so as voice or video calls. People can chat individually or join groups where lots of people participate. Phone number is prerequisite of setting up an account. FAQs about WhatsApp include, is it safe for kids? You can make a judgment by reading the article below.

Kids Love for WhatsApp

Children can stay connected with friends. They can text, call send videos and pictures without any fee or limit. Moreover, it is add-free which is another perk of WhatsApp. The app is easy to use, nonpaid, and fun. With its feature of group chatting children contribute to multiple friends’ conversations at a time. GIFs, emojis, and stickers let them express themselves creatively, making chatting entertaining and engaging. Kids enjoy sharing updates and posting status with their contacts to express their mood and to flex.
In 2022, an online survey in the United States revealed that around three out of every ten respondents aged 18 to 34 years had a WhatsApp account. Although the number of children who use WhatsApp is limited, there are thousands of children who enjoy using it to communicate.You Can read detailed survey here.

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Risks of WhatsApp

WhatsApp is used by over 90% of people in countries where it is the leading messaging app. This is all because of its end to end encryption technology. This means the material shared is in scrambled code and assumed to be safe. So parents too can not know what their kids are chatting about (i.e. no parental control). Kids after creating an account can be exposed to inappropriate content., Kids may use slang to hide this stuff. People with bad and harmful intentions also use WhatsApp. They can join groups with links without any vetting. There is a risk of cyberbullying. Kids are new to scams that target social apps. Scams can be catfishing, money requests, and fraud. Kids can fall for these, and may hand over their personal information.
Many parents considered WhatsApp inappropriate or unsafe for children.However, this does not imply that it is generally unsafe. Users of a certain age, particularly those between the ages of 18 and 30, enjoy communicating using WhatsApp.

Below mentioned table are some common risks involved that make it not safe for kids below certain age limit.

Tips to keep kids safe on whatsapp

Settings can be used to limit who has access to your information. You should have control over your privacy settings.If your child feels pressured to respond to a message, turn the read receipt off. Some WhatsApp groups are not appropriate for children; to prevent children from being added to groups by people they do not know, we recommend altering the group settings to ‘My contacts except’.Talk to your children about what they should and should not share. Set rules for sharing location. Teach them how to block a scam message sender.

Running Away from Home

It is crucial to keep kids safe in the digital age. WhatsApp offers many benefits for kids; social connectivity, conversation at ease, and expression through emojis, and status updates. It can foster independence among kids. It is important to acknowledge the harms and risks associated with the app( discussed above). Parents play a vital role in mitigating these dangers by talking with kids about them. By setting rules and clear guidelines, and educating responsible use of the app, kids can enjoy the positive aspects of the app.