Social media giant Meta has made a significant change in its policy by lowering the minimum age required to use WhatsApp in Europe to 13 from 16.
This decision has sparked criticism from children’s rights advocates who are concerned about the potential risks it poses to young users.
The new age restriction came into effect in the European Union on Thursday, aligning with the minimum age requirement previously announced for users in the United Kingdom in February. Meta, which acquired WhatsApp a decade ago, stated on its website that this change ensures a consistent minimum age requirement for WhatsApp globally.
However, the decision to lower the age limit has faced backlash from children’s rights advocates in the UK. One campaign group, Smartphone Free Childhood, called on WhatsApp to reverse the new policy, emphasizing the need to prioritize children’s safety over shareholder profits.
Critics argue that reducing the age limit is tone-deaf and disregards the concerns raised by scientists, doctors, teachers, child safety experts, parents, and mental health professionals about the potential harms associated with social media use for young individuals.
Vicky Ford, a UK lawmaker and member of a government education committee, criticized the decision to lower the minimum age without consulting parents, calling it irresponsible. In response, a WhatsApp spokesperson highlighted the platform’s features that allow users to control their interactions and block unknown accounts.
On a broader scale, Meta has faced criticism for its efforts to lower age restrictions across platforms, particularly in the United States. Last year, the company announced plans to reduce the minimum age for its virtual reality app, despite objections from US lawmakers.
Despite these criticisms, Meta recently announced that it is testing features to protect young people from the dangers of sextortion and intimate image abuse. The company aims to make it more difficult for scammers and criminals to target teens through its platforms.
