Who adheres to the minimum age on Whatsapp?

«Yes, I'm 16 or older»: It's been just under a year since Whatsapp raised the minimum age for use to 16. Hardly anyone sticks to it.

Age control on Whatsapp? One click - and teenagers have already confirmed that they are 16 or older. No child is interested in the Whatsapp minimum age.
There was initially a debate as to whether parents should simply ban the messaging service and delete it from their children's devices. However, many parents have capitulated and continue to use it.
After all, WhatsApp is now an integral part of the lives of children and young people - it is their main communication channel. Very few people can understand the ban until 16; WhatsApp is part of everyday culture. And teenagers don't let that be dictated to them.

Ban the class chat?

Anyone who cheats on their age is not liable to prosecution in Switzerland. On the other hand, young people under 16 violate Whatsapp's terms of use. However, this is unlikely to have any consequences, as the online service does not enforce its provisions consistently. Whatsapp is primarily concerned with being on the safe side itself. This is because the EU Data Protection Regulation stipulates that no data may be collected and analysed from children under the age of 16 without their parents' consent.
Schools are also affected by the minimum age. Are teachers still allowed to run a WhatsApp group with their pupils? Should they strictly prohibit it or obtain written authorisation from parents? Even data protection officers disagree on this: the representative of the canton of Zurich clearly states that WhatsApp is prohibited for schools. The representative of the cantons of Jura and Neuchâtel considers a ban to be unrealistic.

Education instead of a ban

Young people in particular often don't understand what exactly data collection means. But they absolutely should. They should understand: How do I pass on personal data such as my phone number, profile picture and online status? How do I prevent pictures from the group chat from being automatically saved on my mobile phone? Which settings are risky? Where are live location and location sharing activated? Many children and young people do not know the basic settings of Whatsapp.
One thing is clear: Whatsapp collects data and makes money from it. Also with our children's data. And every child should develop an awareness of this. However, they won't learn this through bans and requests to handle data carefully. Rather, it requires communication - with parents, teachers and friends.

One thing is clear: Whatsapp collects data and makes money from it. Even with our children's data.

In this way, children learn where dangers lurk and how to avoid them. They learn this in everyday life, when using digital media. Step by step. Again and again. That's why I'm in favour of children and young people using WhatsApp - under supervision. Under the supervision and guidance of mums and dads and teachers. Don't forbid your child from chatting digitally so that they can become a responsible member of the information society.

Michael In Albon ist Beauftragter Jugendmedienschutz und Experte Medienkompetenz von Swisscom.
Michael In Albon is a youth media protection officer and media literacy expert at Swisscom.

On Medienstark you will find tips and interactive learning modules for the competent use
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