Is WhatsApp Safe? What Parents Should Know

By Andrea Nelson

April 21, 2025

Unless you’ve traveled a lot internationally or have family abroad, you may not be familiar with WhatsApp. While the messaging app’s popularity in the U.S. lags far behind other countries, it’s still used by around a quarter of American teens. But is WhatsApp safe for kids?

The short answer: no, not really. Unfortunately, the app comes with some pretty big risks for underage users, including limited parental controls and the ease with which strangers can connect with your child. Let’s break down the dangers of WhatsApp and explore safer alternatives.

What is WhatsApp?

WhatsApp is an encrypted, free messaging app that lets users send text, voice, and video messages, make voice and video calls, and share their location.

It works cross-platform, which means iPhone and Android users can message each other and their communication remains encrypted, unlike the security concerns that arise when users message each other from different operating systems.

Why do teens use WhatsApp?

Here are some of the reasons WhatsApp is popular with kids:

Works without cell service. WhatsApp uses WiFi instead of cellular data, which is helpful if a user has spotty cell coverage.
Messaging people in other countries. Because it uses WiFi, WhatsApp is free to send messages to friends and family in other countries.
Privacy. WhatsApp communication is end-to-end encrypted, and users can set their chats to automatically disappear after 24 hours. This makes it a desirable option for teens who want to hide communication from their parents.
Large group chats. The built-in messaging apps for iPhone and Android cap out at between 20–30 chat participants, depending on what platform the other users are on. In contrast, WhatsApp allows a whopping 1024 people to join a chat thread.

What are the risks of WhatsApp for teens?

Now that you understand why your child might be interested in using WhatsApp, let’s take a look at some of the risks.

Risk	Why it matters
No parental controls	Parents can’t set boundaries or see message content.
Stranger danger	Large group chats mean someone your child doesn’t know could easily be added to a group thread.
Predators	WhatsApp is among the top three platforms where children report experiencing harmful behavior.
Inappropriate material	Explicit adult content is allowed on WhatsApp. While child pornography is officially banned, a TechCrunch investigation revealed that it’s shockingly easy to find on the app — especially in WhatsApp Channels.
Difficult to monitor	The end-to-end encryption and disappearing message feature makes it hard for parents to monitor their child’s WhatsApp use.

How can I help my child send messages safely?

Even if WhatsApp isn’t ideal, there are steps you can take to keep your child safer while messaging.

Have them use iMessage instead. Although iMessage is also encrypted, it’s easier for parents to monitor. There’s no disappearing message feature, and parents can set controls, such as locking their child’s ability to share their location in a message. Plus, third-party apps like BrightCanary can help you monitor your child’s iMessages.
Educate them on the risks. Talk to your child about the dangers of online predators and how to spot grooming. Make sure they know not to message with strangers and not to share sensitive information in group chats.
Teach them how to handle unwanted interactions. Show your child how to block someone who’s messaging them inappropriately, and instill the importance of letting you know about any problem interactions.
Practice tech check-ins. Regularly sit with your child and look at their message threads together.
Use a monitoring service. BrightCanary doesn’t currently monitor WhatsApp, but it can monitor text messages and social media DMs. It’s a great way to stay engaged with who your child is messaging and how they use their phone.

Final word

So, is WhatsApp safe for kids? Not really. Due to a lack of parental controls and monitoring capabilities and the potential to be exposed to predators and inappropriate material, WhatsApp is generally not safe for kids.

BrightCanary can help you supervise your child online. The app’s advanced technology scans their online activity (including social media, texts, YouTube, and Google searches) and flags any potential concerns. It’s the easiest way to stay in the loop, without hovering over your child’s shoulder. Download the BrightCanary app and get started for free today.