Privacy Settings Guide – Setting up Parental Control on WhatsApp

WhatsApp, a free messaging service, is owned by social networking tycoon – Facebook. It allows users to communicate via sending unlimited text messages, voice chats, photographs, documents, data and video calls. The application also helps users to boost their productivity. Users can use the software on their phones or laptops; they need a phone number. With over a billion users worldwide, WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging applications globally. 

Parental control on WhatsApp is essential for every parent seeking to protect their child in this digital age. There are certain restrictions on the use of this age. For instance, to use WhatsApp, you must be 13 years old. Younger WhatsApp users prefer to utilise the app over their phone’s native texting because they believe it gives them greater privacy and independence. This is because parents are more familiar with basic messaging than with newer programs like WhatsApp. 

Because WhatsApp is not a public platform, it is not regarded as a traditional type of social media. Instead, it’s referred to as “dark social,” which refers to social sharing that isn’t tracked by online analytics systems. This implies that users can’t report inappropriate messages to WhatsApp. However, they can screenshot the message and send it to the company. The corporation has the power to ban users but not to erase posts. 

During the past six years, WhatsApp has operated as a subsidiary of Facebook messenger. Between 2016 to 2022, WhatsApp’s active monthly user base increased by 365%. These daunting figures represent that WhatsApp and other social networking apps like YouTube and Facebook need to be supervised by an adult.  

Moreover, the digital literacy of an adult itself can help understand the level of restrictions this software requires. On the verge of setting up parental control on WhatsApp, in our blog on parental control on WhatsApp, we will talk about this popular VoIP application and how you can set up parental control on WhatsApp. 

What is WhatsApp? 

WhatsApp, a free application owned by Facebook, allows over a billion people worldwide to send unlimited messages, voice calls, movies, videos, pictures, documents, and other media via phone, tablet, or laptop. All you need is a mobile phone number to start sending WhatsApp messages. 

The Minimum Age Restriction for WhatsApp? 

To use WhatsApp lawfully, your child must be 16 years old. At one point, the restrictions were eased to 13 years old, but a data protection regulation passed in April 2018 reversed it back to 16. 

Young individuals can easily evade the rules and use the app, as they can with most social media apps. There are no mechanisms to check someone’s age or prevent them from accessing adult information. WhatsApp age limit is an essential technique by the social networking application to protect children from the malicious content on the app. 

Unlike most social networking software, however, WhatsApp’s primary purpose is to send messages to contacts your child already has on their mobile device. So long as your child’s phone contacts are made up of people they know and trust, communication should be reasonable and secure. 

However, parents should know that their children may encounter strangers through WhatsApp group chats. 

What Are the Primary Danger Teens Face on WhatsApp? 

WhatsApp has undoubtedly provided numerous advantages to young people. However, there are two sides to every story, and WhatsApp hurts teenagers. Parents will learn why it is so important to restrict WhatsApp on their children’s smartphones in this article. 

• WhatsApp is one of the most common sources of distraction for teenagers. It diverts their attention from their primary goal, causing them to engage in undesirable actions like sending obscene content via WhatsApp. 

• WhatsApp has become an addiction among teenagers. Rather than conversing with someone in their immediate vicinity, they use WhatsApp to communicate with someone who is far away. 

• Most importantly, regular use of WhatsApp hurts children’s health. Many health issues are becoming more prevalent, such as back discomfort, neck pain, and vision loss. 

Why is it Necessary to Set Parental Control on WhatsApp? 

You’ve seen why it’s necessary to block WhatsApp in the previous section. Many parental control applications with a WhatsApp blocking feature are accessible on the internet for parents to ensure that their children do not waste time on WhatsApp. The following are some of the reasons why you should utilize a parental control app: 

• To keep your children safe from potentially harmful events, such as adult jokes on WhatsApp. 

• To keep your children healthy by reducing the chance of developing health problems due to their use of WhatsApp. 

• Keep your kids focused on crucial things like schoolwork and outdoor activities. 

Interesting Read: Enable Parental Controls on Snapchat and Protect Your Child 

How to Setup Parental Control on WhatsApp 

WhatsApp may be less well-known than other social media platforms, but that doesn’t mean parents can’t take precautions to protect their children from its darker elements. 

All parents should become aware of their child’s service and the measures to safeguard and keep their children secure. 

How to Block Unwanted Contacts on WhatsApp

Tap the cog – or Settings – symbol in the bottom right corner, account, and privacy on the app’s main page. Select the persons you wish to block by tapping Blocked. Anyone you stop will no longer be able to contact or communicate with your child. 

How to Report Dangerous Users on WhatsApp

Trolls and other online predators can exploit WhatsApp, just like they can on any other social network, by posting inappropriate and obscene content. Any member of the group who does this should be reported. 

To do so, press the cog – or ‘Settings’ – then ‘Help’ and then ‘Contact Us’ and provide the moderators with specifics of the incident. 

How to Turn Off Visible Information on WhatsApp

On the app’s main page, tap the cog – or ‘Settings’ – on the bottom right, then ‘Account,’ then ‘Privacy.’ You can change what others can see on your child’s profile from here: ‘Last Seen’ displays the date and time they last used the app; ‘Profile Photo’ shows their profile photo; ‘About’ shows your child’s personal information, and ‘Status’ displays what they are now doing. 

How to Turn Off Live Location on WhatsApp

It can be harmful if someone knows where your child is. Tap the cog – or ‘Settings’ – on the bottom right of the app’s main page to delete ‘Live Location,’ then ‘Account,’ then ‘Privacy.’ When you press ‘Live Location,’ you can select which chats your child’s location should be removed from. 

How to Turn off ‘Last seen’ on WhatsApp

Other WhatsApp users can see when your youngster has had the app open and active using the ‘Last Seen’ feature. ‘Last spotted today at 11:17 am,’ for example. Some individuals find this bothersome and wish to disable it. You can do so by following these steps: 

• Tap the settings icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen on an iOS device. Then tap ‘Last Seen’ under ‘Account’> ‘Privacy.’ You can choose who knows when you were last seen from this menu: ‘Everyone,’ ‘My Contacts,’ or ‘Nobody.’
  
• Tap the vertical dots in the app’s top-right corner on an Android device. Then tap ‘Last Seen’ under ‘Account’> ‘Privacy.’ You can now specify who has access to this personal data: ‘Everyone,’ ‘My Contacts,’ or ‘Nobody.’
  

How to Turn off Saved Images on WhatsApp

WhatsApp stores any media from chats to your phone’s gallery by default. While this is beneficial for some discussions, it quickly becomes a memory drain on your phone, especially if some group members submit many photographs and videos. Open WhatsApp and go to ‘Settings’> ‘Chats’> ‘Save to camera roll’ and toggle it off to disable it. 

Understanding What is WhatsApp Group?

The ability to create groups and have group chats in WhatsApp’s hallmark feature — WhatsApp is to group conversations what Uber is to taxis – and a fantastic tool for users to connect daily in an online world excellent a great method to interact with like-minded people and share views and ideas, even if you’re not in the same physical region. 

Multiple group conversations, on the other hand, can be too much of a good thing: if your child is a member of various or very active groups, their device will no sure be buzzing, pinging, and throbbing continually throughout the day, demanding their attention and increasing their screen time. 

If you suspect this is the case with your child, it’s important to watch things and make some changes. Too much time spent concentrating on a single app or staring at a screen is harmful to a young person’s physical and mental health. 

Interesting Read: Got Trust Issues? Find the Best Messenger Alternatives Today

How Can You Exit or Mute a WhatsApp Group?

If a group chat is getting too much for you and you don’t want the notifications, you can mute the group or leave it. Because leaving groups might have a stigma, many people prefer to turn it off so they aren’t troubled by it. 

To mute a group, open the group chat, tap the group’s name to enter ‘Group Info,’ and then tap ‘Mute’ to change how long you want it muted. Nobody in the group will know that you’ve put them on mute. To leave a group, repeat the steps above for ‘Group Info,’ then press ‘Exit Group.’ You will be informed that you have left the group. 

What Other Aspects Can Parents Address to Save Their Children from Cyberbullying? 

Technology is a fantastic tool for communicating and sharing knowledge. Still, as with any instrument, children learn to use, parents must supervise and set limitations to ensure that their children have a safe and enjoyable experience. Cyberbullying is a relatively new threat with potentially long-term implications. Here are some suggestions for being safe online and avoiding cyberbullying. 

Know What Technology You’re Dealing With

If you allow your children to use cell phones, you should also know how technology works. Your kids can be your teachers by showing you what they’re up to on the internet. Take an interest in your children’s online life the same way you would in any other element of their lives. 

Set Sensible Boundaries

Establishing standards and exerting control can help your children learn to make good digital decisions. Examine all aspects of the technologies they employ. The same rules and precautions should apply to cell phones with an internet connection to home computers. Obtain information about parental controls for all your children’s technology. 

Learn About Your Children’s Online Acquaintances

Making “friends” on the internet is simple and quick, but you must teach your children the difference between a true friend and a friendly stranger. Monitor their internet friendships with the same questions you’d ask about their real-life buddies. Please encourage your children never to share any information about themselves, such as who they are and where they live or attend school. Tell them not to meet up with online-only buddies in person. 

If You Feel Your Children are Being Bullied, Talk to Them

Changes in your child’s attitude and conduct could indicate that they are being bullied at school or online. Children who have been victimized are more likely to have trouble sleeping, headaches, anxiousness, and stomach problems, and seek excuses to avoid school.  

When it comes to problems with their friends, kids are frequently hesitant to tell anyone because they are afraid of losing their online rights if they report being cyberbullied. It would help if you instilled confidence in them by assuring them that they may say anything to you and that you would assist them. We must invest in our children in the belief that no one has the authority to harm another person. 

Demonstrate to your children that you care about them and will protect them 

Bullied children are at risk for many mental health issues, including sadness, anxiety, low self-esteem, and social disengagement. Remind your children that they are loved and valued and that bullies are the ones who have a personality disorder. 

Conclusion

WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram are just a few examples of social media software that have become indispensable in your life. You utilize the applications to communicate and share your location with loved ones in your daily life. Furthermore, many professionals use these apps to improve their businesses worldwide. 

However, it is a well-known adage that “too much of anything is bad.” This idea also applies to social networking platforms, which many children and adults use excessively. They are squandering valuable time on WhatsApp that they could be using to advance their careers. Technology has provided many parental control apps for WhatsApp blocking for worried parents. 

WhatsApp is one of the best applications to keep in touch with your loved ones. Use the Data Saver Unlimited bundle by Talk Home Mobile to enjoy blazing-fast data and the test network service across the UK. Talk like there is no tomorrow with Talk Home App.