- Experts usually recommend that children start using cell phones from the age of 13.
- WhatsApp does not have YouTube-style parental controls, but there are some ways to control its use by minors.
There is no clear age at which children should start using a mobile phone. In reality, depending on who you ask, the age could range between 13 and 16, according to experts. However, in many cases the information available in this regard says that it is usually much earlier around 9 years old to use the mobile.
One of the main applications on any mobile phone is undoubtedly WhatsApp. And that includes the little ones in the house. Luckily, there are certain possibilities when it comes to having parental control over it. That is, to configure WhatsApp for your children to use without taking certain risks.
What is parental control in WhatsApp?
Parental control is not something new, nor is it necessarily at odds with technology as we know it today. Decades ago, this term was already used to restrict children’s freedoms when it comes to accessing certain types of entertainment or content, such as some styles of music or video games.
However, currently one of the issues that most worries many parents is related to the Internet, social networks and, of course, the use of mobile phones. When a young minor gets her first phone, it is common for it to include the WhatsApp application, in many cases.
But one detail that must be taken into account is that WhatsApp does not have parental control as such. That is, no specific option allows parents to decide how their children should use the Meta application. An application that cares about the security of users, but that has certain risks, and is by no means infallible.
It is exactly the opposite of what happens with other types of social networks (WhatsApp is a social network, it is classified as such by experts) such as TikTok or YouTube, which do give parents the option to control more how children interact with many of the most popular places on the web.
How to set up “parental controls” on WhatsApp for your children
Once it is clear that WhatsApp does not have parental control as standard, so to speak, it is necessary to explain that there are some possibilities that increase the safety of kids. Especially when it comes to exposing yourself to the risks that other users can generate.
For example, a good tip is to set a password on WhatsApp, like a fingerprint. This way, even if the child has the application on her phone, the father will be the one who knows how long he uses it, and when. To do this, you just have to do the following:
- Enter WhatsApp and go to Settings.
- Enter the Account section, and then Privacy.
- Activate Fingerprint Lock.
In addition, there is also the option to limit the boy’s information, making only his contacts able to see his profile photo or access application details. The process is similar to the previous one:
- Go to WhatsApp and Settings.
- Select Account and then Privacy.
- Choose the Profile photo, Info and Statuses option and check My contacts.
Despite these recommendations, we must not forget that the Internet can always be dangerous for the little ones, especially when it comes to the always complex world of social networks.
Most specialists always recommend not only limiting children’s use of the Internet, but also educating them from early childhood to navigate and consume content in a responsible and cautious way. Even though, deep down, each parent should have the last word.
Also Read |How to install parental control system in Windows 11
