WhatsApp: minimum age 16 - can you use it even younger? Easily explained
Due to a new EU regulation, WhatsApp has raised the minimum age to 16 years. In this practical tip, we will tell you whether you can still use Messenger under the age of 16.
WhatsApp increases minimum age to 16 years
The new EU General Data Protection Regulation will enter into force on May 25, 2016. As a result, social networks such as Facebook and WhatsApp are required to obtain parental consent if the users are under 16 years of age.
- The minimum age for WhatsApp was always 16 years old. It wasn't until 2016, after Facebook bought Messenger, that the age, like Facebook, was reduced to 13 years.
- WhatsApp is now raising the minimum age to avoid user verification. If only people aged 16 and over are officially allowed to use Messenger, WhatsApp does not have to ensure that users also comply with this rule.
Can you use WhatsApp with under 16 years?
- Although WhatsApp raises the minimum age, the age of the users is not really controlled. WhatsApp will only ask in the coming weeks whether you are already 16. However, you do not have to prove your age.
- How that looks exactly can already be seen in the beta version of WhatsApp. When you start WhatsApp, you will see the new terms of use. To continue, you must check a box to confirm that you are at least 16 years old.
- Facebook remains at the minimum age of 13. Anyone between the ages of 13 and 15 can only use Facebook with the permission of their parents. The verification of the parents can be done directly via Facebook or by email as soon as the children are asked to do so.
In the next practical tip, we will show you 7 things that you did not know about WhatsApp.