How To Set Up WhatsApp Parental Controls
Learn how to set parental controls on your child’s WhatsApp account.
WhatsApp is a free messaging system currently owned by Facebook. It allows users to send unlimited text messages, voice messages, and video calls, as well as images, documents, and other media to other WhatsApp users around the world. Users can access the app through mobile devices and desktop computers — all they need is a cell phone number. WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging apps in the world and is available internationally, with over a billion users worldwide.
Users must be 13 to use WhatsApp, but if they’re still under 18, them the parents should activate the WhatsApp parental control feature. Younger WhatsApp users prefer to use the application rather than their phone’s native texting because it allows them more privacy and freedom, or so they believe. This is primarily because parents tend to be more familiar with basic texting than newer applications like WhatsApp.
WhatsApp is not considered to be a typical type of social media, since the platform is not public. Rather, it is considered “dark social” — social sharing that is not measured by web analytics platforms. This means that users cannot flag inappropriate messages to alert WhatsApp to the problem, though they may screenshot the message and share it with the company. The company cannot remove posts, though it can ban users. But that doesn’t imply parents can’t make prudent moves to protect their child from its darker aspects. So, take advantage of WhatsApp parental control! It is highly advised for all parents to become familiar with the service, why their child likes it, and the features at hand to help shield them and keep them safe.
Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s digital lives.
Privacy Controls WhatsApp Setup
How to block someone
- In the bottom-right corner of the app, tap Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Next, tap Privacy.
- Tap Blocked, and add who you’d like to block. Blocked contacts will no longer be able to call you or send your child messages.
How to turn off visible public public information
- In the bottom-right corner of the app, tap Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Next, tap Privacy.
- Up top, you can edit the following four items and select who can see what on your child’s profile:
- Last Seen: When your child was last using the app
- Profile Photo: Your child’s photo
- About: Your child’s mini bio
- Status: What they’re currently doing
How to turn off Live Location
- In the bottom-right corner of the app, tap Settings.
- Tap Account.
- Next, tap Privacy.
- Tap Live Location and select the chats from which you’d like to remove.
How to report safety and security issues to WhatsApp
- In the bottom-right corner of the app, tap Settings.
- Tap Help.
- Then tap Contact Us to send a message.
With all of the WhatsApp setup done and out of the way, you’re finally ready to start using it as your go-to messaging application.
Helpful Resources for Families
Here are some awesome tools to help families navigate raising kids in the digital age!
All-in-One Parental Control Guide
Your go-to list of parental controls for devices, apps, games, and more.
Bark's Parenting Facebook Group
Bark’s Parenting in a Tech World Facebook group has over 190k members.
The 12 Most Dangerous Apps
Learn about which apps are both popular with kids and pretty concerning.
Bark — The Parental Control Solution
In addition to setting parental controls on your child’s device, the next safety layer parents and caregivers should strongly consider is a monitoring solution to assess the content their kids encounter (and produce) across text messages, social media, email, and more.
Bark helps families manage and protect their children’s entire online worlds. Our award-winning service monitors 30+ of the most popular apps and social media platforms for signs of issues like cyberbullying, suicidal ideation, online predators, threats of violence, and more. Our web filtering and screen time management tools empower families to set healthy limits around the sites and apps their kids can access and when they can visit them. Sign up today to start your free, one-week trial.
