Advice regarding WhatsApp and group settings

We are aware of warnings circulating online regarding groups on WhatsApp encouraging users to add everyone they know to the group. These groups often contain explicit and harmful material.

Unfortunately, the default setting in WhatsApp allows anyone to add a number to a group chat, without needing permission.

We advise disabling this option, here’s how :

Open WhatsApp and follow these steps :

Go to Settings

  • > Privacy

  • > Groups

  • > Under 'who can add me to groups', select ‘My contacts’

Although the minimum age for WhatsApp is set at 13+, we are aware that many children under 13 use WhatsApp.

We advise parents/carers whose children use WhatsApp to check the settings on the app so that they cannot be added to groups by unknown third parties.

We also advise Parents/carers to talk to their children and advise them not to view the chat if they have been added to the group and to block, delete and report the group to WhatsApp via the platform reporting tool.

When talking to young people about online risk and challenges, it is best not to mention the names of groups or challenges, as it can prompt interest, encouraging the young person to seek out these groups and challenges.

It's also important that children understand that they should not be sharing or passing on information such as mobile phone numbers, email addresses, home addresses of others and the safety implications in relation to doing this.

Attached is some further great advice from our friends at Wake Up Wednesday

** Parents, members of the public and schools are always welcome to reach out to cyber@derbyshire.police.uk regarding online safety, questions about warnings they have seen, and for any advice about cyber safety and fraud. **