Thirteen-year-olds can use WhatsApp from today. 

Previously, teenagers had to wait until they turned 16 before they could use the popular messaging app. 

Now, WhatsApp has the same age restriction as most other social media apps. 

Speaking to Newstalk, CyberSafeKids CEO Alex Cooney said the app has not changed its approach to child protection. 

“They’re not announcing any additional safeguards or any additional protections for their younger users,” she said. 

“They’re simply aligning the minimum age with other services across Europe, so I suppose it suits them to do so. 

“But from a child protection perspective, nothing really changes.” 

A WhatsApp icon on a smartphone showing message notifications, 2-4-21. Image: Stephen Frost / Alamy

Despite the change, Ms Cooney said WhatsApp is still an app that is “not designed with children in mind”.  

“So, when they’ve added safeguards, they’ve often been after thoughts,” she said. 

“What we need is a child centred design of services; so, there’s a real recognition that children are going to be using these services and they’re going to be better protected within them. 

“We know on WhatsApp that certainly things like bullying happen in groups [and] inappropriate information is shared.” 

Despite WhatsApp’s new age restriction, a survey in 2021 for CyberSafeKids found 39% of children between eight and 12 in Ireland already use the app.

Main image: Teenager using a mobile phone. Image: David Burton / Alamy Stock Photo