How many have the “patience” to read all the conditions that you accept when installing WhatsApp on your phone? Few, very few. Yet the conditions of use are many and some of these are unknown to many. Among these, there is one that explicitly states: WhatsApp is forbidden to minors under the age of 16 . Maybe you are laughing… but this is not a joke! Just take a look at the official WhatsApp Privacy & Conditions webpage.

Point 9, relating to the requirements for accepting the Terms of Service , reads: “ WhatsApp Service is not intended for children under 16. If you are under 16 years of age, you are not permitted to use the WhatsApp Service. ”(WhatsApp is not suitable for children under 16. If you are under the age of 16, you are not allowed to use the WhatsApp Service).

This means that when you download WhatsApp ” You affirm that you are either more than 16 years of age “.

Because? The reason is simple . The application aims to protect the privacy of minors. The issue is specific in one of the following points, where WhatsApp explains its “commitment to protecting the privacy of children”.

“Protecting the privacy of children is particularly important. For this reason, WhatsApp does not collect or store personal data or non-personally identifiable information on the site or WhatsApp WhatsApp service from persons under 16 years of age, and no part of the WhatsApp Service is directed or intended for use by persons under 16. “

If this rule is not respected, WhatsApp could block the account of both the minor and the person who contacts a minor. “Always think about the children!” Concludes the official rule.

The topic of children’s privacy on Whatsapp also presents another aspect, which probably will have come to mind to many of those who have read the first part of this news. Lots of 13, 14, 15 and 16 year olds use WhatsApp. Indeed, it is the very young who “teach” on the subject.

And also, how many of these under-sixteen-year-old accounts using WhatsApp have been blocked ? Until now, at least in Italy , there are no testimonials (if this has happened to you, you could leave a comment at the bottom and tell your story).

The question “why is WhatsApp forbidden to minors under 16?” it therefore makes sense (the protection of privacy) but does not have a reality (no blocked minors). Let’s leave this digital “mystery” open …