Learn which behaviors deserve attention and which WhatsApp settings will make your child more protected.
Warning signs that deserve attention
No tool can replace parental observation. Changes in behavior are often the first sign that something is wrong in online conversations.
None of these signs proves anything on its own, but several together call for a calm conversation.
- Hide your screen or close WhatsApp whenever someone approaches.
- Do you feel anxious, sad, or irritated after using your cell phone?.
- You receive gifts, credits, or money from someone you don't know.
- He mentions a new online friend, but avoids giving details.
- Start using your cell phone in the middle of the night.
- He was removed from school groups or avoids his classmates.
How to talk to your child
Avoid bringing up the subject in the middle of an argument or right after discovering something. Ask how the conversations and groups are going, showing genuine interest.
Make it clear that he will not be punished for telling you something that scared him. Children who fear losing their cell phones tend to hide problems, including scams and harassment.
Usage hours, who can be added, and what should never be sent, such as intimate photos, addresses, and document information. Agreed-upon rules are more likely to be respected.
WhatsApp privacy settings
Open WhatsApp on your child's phone, together with them, and tap on Settings and then Privacy. These are the most important settings:
- Groups: Change to My Contacts so strangers can't add the child.
- Profile picture and status: leave visible only to My contacts.
- Last seen and online: limit to My contacts or Nobody.
- Calls: enable Silence calls from unknown numbers.
- Real-time location: check if there is no active sharing.
- Blocked contacts: teach how to block and report those who are bothering you.
In Settings, Account, enable two-step verification with a PIN that only your family knows. Explain that no one should ask for the six-digit code that arrives via SMS.
In Connected Devices, check if there are any unknown computers or browsers using the account. If so, disconnect them immediately.
1. WhatsApp Messenger
Google Play
Keep WhatsApp always updated, because new versions bring privacy adjustments and security fixes. The features mentioned above can be found in Settings, Privacy.
The app also has a Privacy Checkup, an assistant that reviews in a few steps who can see your data and contact you.
Download on Google Play
2. Google Family Link
Google Play
While WhatsApp settings manage who talks to your child, Family Link helps control how much time they spend on the app and at what times.
Use both together: set privacy settings on WhatsApp and set time limits on Family Link, always following the rules agreed upon as a family.
Download on Google PlayFrequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my child is being harassed on WhatsApp?
Save the evidence with screenshots, block and report the contact within the app itself, and contact the police station or the Child Protective Services. SaferNet Brasil also offers guidance.
How can I prevent strangers from adding my child to groups?
In Settings, Privacy, Groups, choose My contacts. This way, only people saved in your address book can send direct invitations.
Is it worth secretly looking at your child's cell phone?
It's not ideal. Combining reviews done together preserves trust and makes the child more willing to talk about problems.
Is two-step verification necessary?
Yes. It prevents someone from using the verification code to steal the account and impersonate your child.