WhatsApp Channels: Why Anyone, Anywhere Can Now Reach Your Child
| Time to read:5 minutes
Welcome, dear reader! This bi-weekly newsletter makes sense of online phenomena in bite-sized pieces. We bring you urgent updates and insights about online safety and emerging digital trends straight from SomeBuddy’s Online Safety Emergency Unit. In each issue, we will deep dive into a relevant topic in a simple, jargon-free way - from WhatsApp channels (which we will discuss in this issue) to the rise of AI companions, we explain what you need to know about this phenomena in an easily digestible format.
Thank you for joining us in making the digital world a safer space for everyone. Together we can navigate the space between digital shifts and the real-world safety of people of all ages. Let’s dive in!
What's going on with WhatsApp?
In 2024, WhatsApp emerged as the second most reported platform to our Online Safety Emergency Unit, with the majority of cases involving children and young people. While many adults still view it as a simple tool for family group chats, the reality has shifted. WhatsApp has evolved into a social media platform, fundamentally changing the landscape of online safety.
Traditionally, the app served as a closed space for private, one-on-one communication. However, the introduction of WhatsApp Channels has rewritten this DNA, turning the service into a broadcast tool similar to TikTok or X. These channels are entirely public, allowing a single user to broadcast messages to an unlimited number of followers. This means that anyone on WhatsApp can now find, view, or follow these public feeds, effectively removing the "private" boundary we once relied on.
Because of this massive scale and potential for harm, the European Union now classifies WhatsApp Channels as a Very Large Online Platform (VLOP). This status forces the company to follow much stricter rules under the Digital Services Act (DSA) regarding the protection of minors and content moderation.
Since WhatsApp is widely used by children and teenagers, many have started their own channels, which have surged in popularity. However, this trend often flies under the radar for parents, who may not realize their child is broadcasting to a wider audience rather than just messaging friends.
PRO TIP: If you’re wondering what WhatsApp Channels are and want to access them, tap the Updates tab (usually located in the bottom-left corner of the app). You will find Channels listed directly below the Status updates, often accompanied by personalized recommendations. A quick search through these suggested feeds reveals just how popular the feature is with children and young people, making it a critical area for parents to understand and monitor - especially as you can’t turn off Channels. There are however some restrictions that can be made in parental controls.
The Hidden Risks for Children and Teens
From a safety perspective, the rise of Channels and large public groups has created new vulnerabilities for younger users. Public channels often lack moderation, making it easier for children to stumble upon:
- Adult and Violent Material: Channels can be used to share pornographic videos or violent imagery.
- Privacy Leaks: Many young users may unknowingly share their own or others' private information on a channel, not realizing that the content can be seen by any WhatsApp user.
- Bullying: Our Emergency Unit has also helped children in cases where a channel has been created specifically for bullying, or where a link to a child's private channel has been leaked to hundreds of strangers. In Channels, everyone except the creator remains anonymous, which provides a shield for bullies, making it incredibly difficult to hold anyone accountable for their actions.
- Recruitment and Grooming: The public nature of these feeds can expose children to "bad actors" or strangers who can then try to move the conversation to private, direct messaging. Predators can use public WhatsApp Channels to lure kids into private, encrypted chats by offering "VIP" access or game rewards, then use disappearing messages in private messages to hide their grooming.
What Adults Can Do
The risks associated with the Channels should serve as a wake-up call. They highlight the fact that WhatsApp is no longer a 'safe' private space. Even away from public channels, our data shows that serious issues, from harassment to sexual exploitation, are already rampant in private messages and group chats.
It is important to understand that WhatsApp is no longer "just a chat app." To help protect young users, we suggest:
- Review Privacy Settings: Regularly check who can add your child to groups and who can see their profile information.
- Explain the Difference: Talk to children about the massive difference between a private message to a friend and a public broadcast channel that potentially the whole world can see.
- Open Dialogue: Encourage them to report any groups or channels that share disturbing content, especially since these "public" spaces can quickly normalize harmful behavior.
I hope you enjoyed this newsletter. For more information about SomeBuddy and our mission to help keep our users safe in online spaces you can visit https://www.somebuddy.com/.
Also - if you have any questions, thoughts or perhaps suggestions for our next newsletter, please reach out to at essi@somebuddy.com
Stay safe!
Essi Alho, Head of Nordics, SomeBuddy
Kaisa Rissanen, Head of Legal and Operations, SomeBuddy