St. Thomas, ON – Monday July 28th, 2025
WhatsApp: Private Doesn’t Always Mean Safe
Presented by CRU and SADER – your STPS Youth Engagement Mascots
This week, CRU and SADER are turning the Cyber Spotlight on WhatsApp—a popular messaging app that lets users send texts, photos, videos, voice notes, and make calls over Wi-Fi or data. While it may seem like a private way for kids to connect, WhatsApp carries significant risks that families need to understand.
What Parents Should Know:
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No Age Verification: Anyone can create a WhatsApp account, meaning children may be exposed to adult content or contacted by strangers pretending to be peers.
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Inappropriate or Private Content: Kids can be pressured into sharing personal details, photos, or links—and may also receive unsolicited messages with explicit material.
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Hidden Messaging: Slang and acronyms can make risky conversations harder for parents to detect.
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Location Sharing: Live location sharing can expose your child to unwanted tracking or contact from strangers.
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Cyberbullying: Group chats and message forwarding can amplify bullying and harassment—sometimes beyond a parent’s visibility.
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Phishing & Malware: Criminals may pose as trusted contacts or even hijack a friend’s account to send infected links or phishing messages. One click could expose your child’s device to malware or spyware.
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Spyware Threats: Hackers can exploit vulnerabilities to access messages, voice calls, photos, and more—remotely.
WhatsApp Safety Tips for Families:
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Monitor App Use Regularly: WhatsApp does not offer built-in parental controls, so regular conversations and check-ins are essential.
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Use Third-Party Monitoring Apps: For Android users, tools like AirDroid Parental Control can help monitor activity.
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Turn Off Location Sharing: Disable this feature in settings unless absolutely necessary.
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Enable Privacy Settings: Set messages, status updates, and profile visibility to “Contacts Only” or “Nobody.”
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Encourage Reporting & Blocking: Teach kids how to block unknown users and report inappropriate messages.
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Talk About Phishing Scams: Remind kids never to click suspicious links—even if they appear to come from someone they know.
Security Tips:
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Use a strong, unique password for the linked phone/email account.
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Enable two-step verification in WhatsApp under Settings > Account > Two-Step Verification.
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Keep the app updated to patch security vulnerabilities.
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Routinely check privacy settings—some updates may reset them.
WhatsApp isn’t just a private messaging tool—it can be a gateway for cyberbullying, scams, and predators if not carefully managed. CRU and Sader encourage families to stay alert, stay secure, and talk often.
Check back every Monday this summer for more Cyber Spotlight safety tips!
