Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Text, call, and chat with individuals and groups data-free.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
WhatsApp Messenger
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 28 parent reviews
Parents say that while WhatsApp can be a practical communication tool for kids, there are serious concerns about its safety, particularly with younger users who may not fully understand digital privacy or the implications of online interactions. Many reviews highlight the need for parental oversight to mitigate risks such as exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, and unregulated contact with strangers, while some parents deem it acceptable for older children who can use the app responsibly and within guidelines.
- parental oversight needed
- safety concerns
- digital maturity required
- risk of bullying
- inappropriate content
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 47 kid reviews
Kids say the app is generally regarded as an easy-to-use communication tool that facilitates messaging, calling, and sharing among friends and family, especially for those abroad. While many users appreciate its features and safety measures, they caution that it can pose risks such as scams, cyberbullying, and unwanted contacts, making parental supervision important for younger users.
- easy messaging
- safety concerns
- good for kids
- potential scams
- user-friendly
Summarized with AI
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
WHATSAPP MESSENGER uses push notifications to allow users to send each other unlimited text messages without data limits or international charges. As with most messaging apps, teens can send text, videos, documents, and GIFs to individuals or groups, make calls, and use filters. Within a chat, teens can use Live Location to share where they are and stop sharing whenever they choose. The status feature allows users to share updates with all of their contacts at once, or they can also use the broadcast feature to send out messages to selected contacts.
Is It Any Good?
Families with some members living or traveling internationally will find this tool valuable. The voice-messaging feature's impressively clear audio is a plus, as are group texting and check marks that confirm messages have been sent and read. As the app adds fun and cosmetic features, it stays competitive with some of the other top apps for teens, and its no-fee system makes it appealing, especially for those with family and friends in other countries. It presents the same hazards as other social media apps but is message-focused and has more family-friendly reputation. The biggest pitfalls are probably huge group messages and disappearing messages, so parents should talk to teens about the potential hazards -- and their limits around -- these features.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about limits with WhatsApp Messenger and other apps: During what hours are kids allowed to text? How much screen use are they allowed?
Talk about the types of information that are best shared in text messages and the types best discussed in person. Let kids know that tone isn't always clear, and emojis can't fill in every blank.
Discuss location sharing and the risks it has. When might it be useful to share your location, and with whom? When is it a bad idea?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , Mac , Android , Windows app
- Skills : Communication : conveying messages effectively , multiple forms of expression , Tech Skills : social media , using and applying technology
- Pricing structure : Free
- Release date : October 30, 2019
- Genre : Social Networking
- Topics : Friendship
- Publisher : WhatsApp Inc.
- Version : 2.19.22
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later; Android varies
- Last updated : January 9, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
Suggest an Update
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate