WhatsApp Safety Guide for Parents

WhatsApp Age Limit
WhatsApp is for ages 16+ in the UK. This means primary school children should not be using it, but many do. Parents need to be aware of the risks and how to keep their child safe.

Risks of WhatsApp
⚠️ Strangers Messaging– Anyone with your child’s number can contact them.
⚠️ Group Chats – Large chats can include unknown people and inappropriate messages.
⚠️ Disappearing Messages – Chats can be set to delete, making them harder to check.
⚠️ Pranks & Impersonation – Some children pretend to be others, which can be upsetting and even illegal.

Why Impersonation & Pranking Are Serious
🚫 Fake Accounts – Pretending to be someone else can cause confusion or harm.
🚫 Joke’ Messages – Some pranks can lead to bullying or trouble at school.
🚫 Fake Screenshots – Editing or sharing chats can spread false information.

Keeping Your Child Safe
✅ Talk to them – Explain online risks and being kind to others.
✅ Set rules – No strangers, no big group chats, no sharing personal details.
✅ Check settings – Show them how to block and report unwanted messages.
✅ Monitor usage – Encourage them to tell you if something feels wrong.
✅ Explain consequences – Pranking and impersonation can have serious effects.

What to Do If There’s a Problem
📌 Encourage your child to talk to you about anything that worries them.
📌 Use WhatsApp’s block and report tools.
📌 If serious, speak to their school or report it to the police (101)

For more help, visit:
👉 Internet Matters - https://www.internetmatters.org
👉 NSPCC Online Safety - https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety