By Elleanor Chard
Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, has recently stirred controversy by lowering the minimum age for WhatsApp usage in Europe from 16 to 13. This move, aimed at ensuring a consistent global minimum age requirement, has sparked criticism from children’s rights advocates.
Daisy Greenwell, the co-founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, criticized the decision, stating, “WhatsApp is putting shareholder profits first and children’s safety second.” Greenwell emphasized the concerns raised by various experts regarding the negative impacts of social media on children’s well-being.
UK lawmaker Vicky Ford echoed these sentiments, labelling the decision as “irresponsible” for not consulting parents beforehand. Despite these criticisms, a WhatsApp spokesperson emphasized the platform’s efforts to give users control over their interactions and protect them from potential harm.
Meta, previously criticized for its attempts to lower age restrictions in the US, has faced scrutiny for its handling of young users’ safety on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Internal communications revealed CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s resistance to implementing measures aimed at protecting adolescents, despite pressure from within the company.
However, Meta’s recent announcement of testing features to combat “sextortion” and “intimate image abuse” demonstrates a shift towards prioritizing young users’ safety. These features aim to make it harder for predators to exploit teens, who are often targeted through deceptive tactics online.
While Meta’s efforts to enhance safety measures are commendable, the decision to lower the minimum age on WhatsApp raises important questions about balancing accessibility with the protection of young users. As technology continues to evolve, platforms must adapt policies that prioritize the well-being of all users, especially children and adolescents.
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