Skip to content
RO

Apps

WhatsApp

Medium-high risk

A messaging and calling app used for family and group conversations. Check whether the account is standard or parent-managed, then review contacts, group invitations and reporting.

Sources checked:

Three things to do first

  1. 1

    Check the account type

    For a pre-teen, check whether parent-managed setup is available in your region. Do not use an older birthday to create a standard account.

  2. 2

    Restrict group additions

    On a standard account, review Settings → Privacy → Groups and choose My Contacts or My Contacts Except…. Review invitations together.

  3. 3

    Know how to report

    Show your child the report and block options in a chat. They can ask for help even if the conversation started with someone they know.

What controls cannot do

Parent-managed accounts do not let a parent read private conversations through a dashboard. Keep discussing who your child talks with and how they feel.

Start with this

Check the account type and group permissions before joining the first class group.

Risk level

Age rating

Standard accounts: 13+ or higher locally; managed accounts differ

Users

Family, school and community groups

Platform

iOS, Android, Web, Desktop

Age recommendation

Use an age-eligible account; review groups together

End-to-end encrypted

Personal conversations

Messages can be submitted

Reporting

Regional rollout

Parent-managed accounts

Privacy controls

Group additions

What to watch for

Unwanted invitations

High

Restricting group additions does not mean every invitation or known contact is safe.

Humiliating messages or images

High

Help your child avoid forwarding harmful material and ask for support when a group turns against someone.

Impersonation and login-code requests

High

Verify unusual requests through another trusted channel. Do not share login codes.

Pressure to be always available

Medium

Agree that family and class messages do not require replies throughout the night.

Set it up, step by step

  1. 1

    Check age eligibility

    Standard registration requires at least 13, or a higher local minimum. Parent-managed accounts have a separate route for younger children; availability is rolling out.

  2. 2

    Set up supervision where available

    Follow the official parent-managed instructions with both phones present. Protect the parent PIN and review contact requests and group invitations. If setup is unavailable, use another age-appropriate way to stay in touch.

  3. 3

    Review group invitations

    For standard accounts, restrict who can add the child in Privacy → Groups. People outside the allowed set may still send private invitations, so discuss which to accept.

  4. 4

    Review profile visibility

    Check the audience for profile details and Status. Agree what is appropriate to share with classmates and wider groups.

  5. 5

    Report abusive contact

    Reporting an individual chat can send WhatsApp up to five recent messages from the reported person. Read the report prompt together; encryption does not prevent reporting.

  6. 6

    Agree on quiet time

    Use the device’s parent-managed time limits where needed. Make it clear that your child can leave a distressing group and come to you for help.

Sources and availability

Checked against published guidance. Settings have not been tested in a child account; menus and availability can vary.

Availability: Parent-managed accounts are rolling out. Availability in Romania is not confirmed by the global announcement.