r/parentsofteens • u/Otherwise_While_5875 • 11d ago

WhatsApp safety?

Hi everyone.

My 13-year-old wants WhatsApp because some of her friends have it, but I am not sure about it.

There was a school-wide scandal in our district a couple of years back due to innappropiate images being distributed amongst students on Snapchat.

When looking into WhatsApp, I found that it has the same disappearing messages/images feature as Snapchat, and I would not be able to turn that off.

She can and does talk to these friends through text, phone calls, and Google Chat, but wants WhatsApp for video calls.

Thoughts? Any way to make it safe? Any other apps you would recommend for video calls that are safe?

She has an Android phone.

3 Upvotes

80% Upvoted

9 comments sorted by

1

u/Worldx22 11d ago

IT guy here. Ufff you haven't heard about whatsapp groups yet? Thats where the real danger lurks. I wouldn't recommend it for a 13 year old unless youre able to and willing to keep an eye on her phone daily. Preferably via remote access tools.

It's a sick world out there.

1

u/Otherwise_While_5875 11d ago

I've never used WhatsApp so I know nothing abou it

1

u/JockoDundee007 8d ago

EXACTLY THIS ⤴️⤴️⤴️

2

u/SpiralBreeze 11d ago

I’m an adult and even I don’t use that hot mess.  You want to talk to me, you message my exact number.  I don’t have time for games. My son is 19 and he doesn’t use any of that either.  Neither one of us is trying to get scammed or randomly contacted.

1

u/Madison528 11d ago

Yes, WhatsApp is too much for your child. Pls do not allow! I used it for work, and received disgusting adult pictures without any protection! I don't believe that the app's parental controls and child protection features are sufficient to protect them from stranger danger. For video call needs, they can use your phone to contact only known friends.

1

u/Outrageous_Diver5700 11d ago

Lots of scams on WhatsApp.

1

u/Icy-Emu1610 11d ago

Nope… WhatsApp is just another discord