WhatsApp raises minimum age

The largest Messaging App boasting of 1.5 billion users is set to change its policy by raising the minimum age of its users from 13 years of age to 16. This might be good news for parents but wait, it will only be applicable in the European Union zone. This is in a bid to comply with the new data protection regulations known as the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

The stringent measures intend to provide data protection mostly in the social media platform. Currently, especially in Kenya, there isn’t provision for the age restriction which might act as an avenue for pedophiles and the likes. This might be a good move but unfortunately, it hasn’t touched our soil. Kenya should also introduce such policies to protect our kids from the social media dangers.

This won’t apply to WhatsApp only but to other social media platforms like Facebook. For instance, if one is below 16 years then he will be required to sign up using parent’s or guardian’s ID.

The only challenge is how the policy will be practically applicable.

The new regulations take effect on 25th May 2018 in the EU countries.