A new type of Social Media turned a well-known communication platform into a new vlogging tool. And not the people who need it the most are being protected.
Which platform is being talked about? The messenger app WhatsApp now offers, in addition to the already known stories, another way to share your life with others. The so-called “Channels” are a new tool with which WhatsApp advertises as follows:
“Follow your interests on WhatsApp Channels. Stay up-to-date with the people and organizations that matter to you – all in one place.”
What is a chance for WhatsApp and Meta to advertise is for many others a new form of social media. The channels provide users with a broadcast function and can be discovered, subscribed to, and viewed by everyone on WhatsApp. (Source: Information on the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy for WhatsApp Channels)
The YouTuber and TikToker Jen (alias jkhuegel) has already researched about these WhatsApp channels for several weeks and shows in a new video why this new form of social media can not only be questionable but really dangerous. Especially for young people.
WhatsApp does not protect the people who need it the most
Why is WhatsApp’s “protection” not enough? Since the launch of the channels, there are many children (some as young as 12 or 11 years old) who have started vlogging their entire everyday life through WhatsApp channels and in some cases also revealing much private information about themselves. Through videos and photos, they share their day and can receive reactions from others to these posts.
In the terms of use for WhatsApp channels, WhatsApp states: “Channel admins are responsible for providing an age-appropriate and safe experience for subscribers, and their channels must comply with the policies in our Terms of Service.”
Furthermore, subscribers and admins should not be able to view phone numbers.
However, Jen reports that some children invite their subscribers into their own WhatsApp groups. There, strangers can access their phone numbers and come into closer contact with the children, which can be exploited by offenders in the worst case scenario.
What are other issues? Besides the lack of protection for children, another problem is highlighted under Jen’s video. Many users are not only unaware of the danger that has been raised with the new tool, but some also do not care.
Comments like “it’s not that deep” or “what’s the problem” show that in many cases the safety of those in need of protection is not adequately addressed.
Other users, however, see the issue that Jen’s research reveals and wish that WhatsApp would introduce stricter rules for age groups and that parents should take more interest in their children’s social media engagement.
Despite the accusations against some parents, there are other examples of parents who are indeed very involved in their children’s interests. There is even a parent guide that regularly deals with different content and assesses whether it is suitable for children. One of Germany’s most well-known streamers was not spared either: “Threatening Content” – A Parent’s Guide warns against the father of German Twitch
