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Original poster

WhatsApp equivalent for under 16s?

25 replies

PeppaPigWorld · 29/01/2022 12:46

Before my dd (11) got her own phone, she used to like borrowing my phone to make little videos and stopmotion animations and send them to grandparents. She now has her own phone, but as the WhatsApp age rating is 16, I'm not keen for her to have it. Are there any other similar apps that allow you to send videos that we could use? Would need to work on both.Android and Apple. I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

OP posts:

youngestisapsycho · 29/01/2022 13:06

She’ll be fine with her own WhatsApp… it’s just a messaging service

bonfireheart · 29/01/2022 13:11

I'd prefer WhatsApp to other services tbh.

Barrawarra · 29/01/2022 13:12

Signal is similar to WhatsApp but considered more secure.

Ineedapuppy · 29/01/2022 13:13

She’ll be in social Siberia at school without WhatsApp. The platform isn’t the issue is what the little darlings say to each other on it

trumpisagit · 29/01/2022 13:25

She can email the videos.
WhatsApp isn't the problem it's how it is used. I would install WhatsApp and monitor her phone use (read her messages as she is 11).
I do think that a bit of privacy is also important as they get older.

Original poster

PeppaPigWorld · 29/01/2022 13:54

Signal looks good, thank you @Barrawarra.

I fully expect to have to let her use WhatsApp at some point, but certainly not whilst she's still only at primary. None other friends use it either (yet), so she's not in social Siberia! In fact, she only messages family at the moment.

We could use email, but it's a faff. Messaging apps are sooo much easier!

OP posts:

Tommika · 29/01/2022 14:05

Part of the issue with WhatsApp is unsolicited messages/advertising and scam messages

However there’s little point in using something that none of their friends uses
Check out online information on what potential risks are and take control of appropriate settings & any ability for payments to get taken

www.norfolk.police.uk/sites/norfolk/files/whatsapp.pdf

www.whatsapp.com/safety

www.onlinesafetyuk.com/telegram/

nationalonlinesafety.com/guides/facebook-messenger

TheSnowyOwl · 29/01/2022 14:07

The requirements you want are part of the reason why WhatsApp is aged 16+. I think you need to either stick to email (you can have everyone replying to all to make it feel like WhatsApp) or else just let her use a platform that she isn’t considered age appropriate.

youngestisapsycho · 31/01/2022 11:33

I've used Whatsapp for years and have never had spam or unsolicited messages..

clipclop5 · 01/02/2022 02:29

If you’re not keen for her to have WhatsApp, then how are you comfortable with her having a phone at all? In my opinion it’s safer than regular messaging as you don’t get any spam.

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 01/02/2022 06:11

WhatsApp is no different from regular texting.

Iggly · 01/02/2022 06:34

@youngestisapsycho

I've used Whatsapp for years and have never had spam or unsolicited messages..

Same! You can set it so only contacts can message you.

actiongirl1978 · 01/02/2022 07:08

I caved and let my DD have WhatsApp when she was in second term of yr7 when lockdown one hit.

DS has had it since the beginning of getting his phone which was for his 11th birthday in primary school. None of his friends had WhatsApp in primary, he only used it to speak to grandparents.

actiongirl1978 · 01/02/2022 07:08

I think it's pretty safe.

Natsku · 01/02/2022 07:13

Its just a messaging service, no more dangerous than using the normal text messaging on the phone. The issue is group chats and bullying but that's an issue that's potentially going to come anywhere online and in real life.

choosername1234 · 01/02/2022 07:20

As far as I can work out, the reason it's for 16+ in the UK is do with how they handle your data. The age limit in other countries is closer to 13

ApolloandDaphne · 01/02/2022 07:38

My DH is big in cybersecurity and he says that because WhatsApp is end to end encrypted it is very safe and very secure.

Phineyj · 01/02/2022 07:40

DD uses JusTalk to send videos etc to her cousins.

reluctantbrit · 01/02/2022 08:02

We allowed WhatsApp with strict rules incl. checking her messages.

Definitely in secondary school she will need it, it may be worth allowing it now for family to get her comfortable with it.

LawnFever · 01/02/2022 08:05

@youngestisapsycho

I've used Whatsapp for years and have never had spam or unsolicited messages..

Me neither, never happened.

marqueses · 01/02/2022 08:12

Goodness inI had idea WhatsApp had an age limit, I message by under 16 dc every day. It's a way to send messages not some kind of dark web

I've used it pretty much since it started and I've had 1 message from someone I didn't know

Are you in the UK op, I've never heard of anyone restricting it to over 16s

Infinitemoon · 01/02/2022 08:17

I remember listening on the BBC to a woman from a Cyber Security Taskforce and when asked which platforms she herself used she said none as none are secure.

HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 01/02/2022 08:18

What's app is fine just go into the settings to make sure she can only be added by her own contacts and not randoms and then she can just use it for family for now.

marqueses · 01/02/2022 09:20

@Infinitemoon

I remember listening on the BBC to a woman from a Cyber Security Taskforce and when asked which platforms she herself used she said none as none are secure.

The issue that the OP is worried about isn't that someone will be able to intercept her child's messages is it?

Super techy types might worry about that but surely parents are concerned about inappropriate unsolicited messages and cyber bullying, nothing to do with encryption

melonhead · 01/02/2022 13:12

Xooloo is good

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