WhatsApp currently has over 5B downloads, meaning most people use the social media app. Your child may have the app installed on their phone, and as a parent, you would want to make sure they are using it right. Unfortunately, WhatsApp does not have a parental control feature, which makes it hard for parents to monitor WhatsApp on their child’s phone.
In addition, the Meta-owned company has a weak age restriction feature, as irrespective of age, you can create an account and use WhatsApp. We have seen what bullying does to children, and as a parent, you must monitor your child’s online activities. Unfortunately, it is difficult to monitor WhatsApp, unlike other social media apps like Instagram.
WhatsApp has end-to-end encryption, making it hard to use Parental control apps to spy on the app. However, the “Linked devices” lets you link WhatsApp to a second phone. You might consider that if you can not afford a Monitoring app.
What you need to know about Linked devices on WhatsApp
- As a parent, linked devices will allow you to see all the messages and images sent and received by your kids. However, you cannot retrieve deleted photos or messages, and you should consider a parental control app with that feature.
- You cannot set a screen limit, meaning you cannot block WhatsApp during school.
- The ”link device” feature does not filter chat to see if your child is being bullied. Some parental control apps can do this and notify you immediately once the AI detects something inappropriate.
- Basically, a linked device only lets you see what is being sent and received in real time. It does not go beyond that, and you can be logged out at any time.
- You will need a device without a WhatsApp account before you can successfully link a device.
How to link a WhatsApp account
- On your child’s phone, open WhatsApp and tap on the three dots at the top right corner.
- Click Linked Devices.
- Tap on Link a device, it might ask for biometric authentication.
- On the device you want to link as a companion device, launch WhatsApp. Tap Agree and continue.
- Instead of putting a phone number, tap the three dots at the top right corner.
- Click the Link as a companion device.
- Use the target phone to scan the code on your screen to link the WhatsApp account.
- You will see everything that happens on WhatsApp, including status and sent and received messages.
With WhatsApp companion mode, you can only see messages in real-time, as deleted messages are not kept on the companion device. However, a parental control app will make sure you never miss anything. Aside from monitoring WhatsApp, these apps can track real-time location, set virtual boundaries, record calls, and filter messages. Below are some monitoring apps that will allow you to monitor WhatsApp on your child’s phone efficiently.
Parental Control Apps to Monitor WhatsApp on your Child’s phone
Bark
Bark seems tailored to WhatsApp monitoring. It is a great tool for parents to monitor their kids’ activities on WhatsApp by leveraging all the features available on the app. There are over 15 categories focusing on a wide range of issues, which include cyberbullying, violence, and sex. When enabled, upload an overview of the message to your app when a message triggers the filter.
In addition, you can set a limit on your child’s WhatsApp account using the app. It means blocking your kids from using WhatsApp during school hours and allowing access to the app in the evening. Also, you can restrict your teen from using the app on their phone. There’s an option to block the WhatsApp URL on the browser to avoid them by passing it.
We recommend Bark for parents who are interested in monitoring just WhatsApp on their kid’s phone. They have a free seven-day trial period, so you can always test the app before purchasing a one-month subscription for $14.
mSpy
mSpy is another parental control app that we recommend for parents. Aside from Monitoring WhatsApp messages, images, and contacts, the app can track real-time location and create virtual boundaries. It has a keylogger feature that lets you see what your teens are typing but requires rooting the device.
However, you can still see messages, sent and received images, and contacts. In addition, the app takes screenshots when it notices changes within the app, likely when your teen gets a new message or image. Also, the app supports blocking WhatsApp web using its web filtering feature.
Conclusion
The only way to Monitor WhatsApp on your child’s phone for free is by linking their WhatsApp to a companion device. But with that, you can only see their chats in real time, as whatever is deleted cannot be retrieved. It is different with a Parental Control app like Bark and mSpy. These apps have features to retrieve deleted messages, images, and videos. They also can track real-time location and set virtual boundaries for your kids. Hence, if you want more than just seeing messages, images, and videos and the ability to block WhatsApp, we recommend the Parental Control App.
