WhatsApp accounted for 71.82 per cent of harmful-content alerts from identified apps outside the Government’s planned under-16 social-media ban, according to data published by phone safety software maker SafetyMode.
The company analysed an anonymous, random sample of more than 25,000 content blocks from children’s phones running its parental-control software. It removed detections in apps the Government has indicated will be covered by the ban before calculating each app’s share.
On that basis, WhatsApp’s share was more than six times the 11.36 per cent recorded for the Google app, which ranked second. Chrome accounted for 4.21 per cent, Messages for 3.86 per cent and Spotify for 1.72 per cent.
Messaging apps outside the ban
The Government confirmed in its announcement of the under-16 ban on 15 June that the restrictions will cover platforms including Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X. Messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal will not be included. The Government has said regulations are expected to go before Parliament before Christmas, with the protections coming into force in spring 2027.
SafetyMode said its data suggests a large volume of potentially harmful material is being detected inside apps viewed as traditional messaging services rather than social-media platforms.
The company said that, aside from the messages themselves, some of the material may be shared from social media, viewed through links or browsers, or appear because WhatsApp contains a number of social features that many parents may be unaware of.
Breakdown by category
According to SafetyMode, WhatsApp accounted for 78.86 per cent of triggers involving swearing, slurs and other banned words among the identified apps outside the planned ban. It was responsible for 58.60 per cent of obscenity triggers, 80.12 per cent of harassment triggers and 39.88 per cent of nudity triggers.
When WhatsApp and Android Messages are combined, the company said, messaging services accounted for 63.48 per cent of obscenity triggers and 87.39 per cent of harassment triggers.
Bertie Aspinall, co-founder of SafetyMode, said: “SafetyMode and OtherPhone users are typically more aware of the harms of social media and abstain from letting their kids have access. Which indicates that WhatsApp is an app perceived to be OK, but may be where harm is being viewed. Google, Chrome and spotify are two others that parents may not instinctively think of in the same way as social media.”
He added: “According to the actual blocks taking place on our children’s phones, WhatsApp is the main culprit for detected issues outside the apps covered by the planned ban. It accounted for more harmful-content triggers than every other app combined, and was top of every category.”
Aspinall pointed to changes in how messaging apps work. “One issue is the scope creep of many apps acting more like social media, with statuses, anonymised channels, live streams and vertical-scroll video content. All of which open the door to more problematic content,” he said.
“Another is that all it takes is one person with access to share harmful content from one platform to another for a seemingly safe app like WhatsApp to change. It makes it even worse that links and content from elsewhere on the internet can be viewed without really leaving that environment.”
He said: “We are seeing that children do not experience online harm according to neat app categories. They do not care whether an app is officially classed as social media, private messaging or entertainment. If images or links can be shared or viewed, the risk is there.”
Aspinall added: “A social-media ban may stop some children accessing TikTok, Instagram or YouTube, but it may not stop harmful content being shared and viewed in WhatsApp groups, channels and private messages.
“This is why protection has to work across the entire phone. App-by-app regulation will always leave gaps, and children will inevitably find them.”
SafetyMode’s software operates across the device, detecting and blocking potentially harmful content regardless of which app is being used.
The ban has drawn criticism from other quarters since it was confirmed, with industry groups questioning whether age limits alone will work. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had earlier reversed his opposition to Australia-style age restrictions before the policy was set out.
Amy Ingham
Amy Ingham is a reporter at Business Matters, covering UK business news with a focus on breaking news, business policy, late payments and insolvency. She joined the magazine in 2026 after completing the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at Harlow College's journalism school. Her recent reporting includes British Steel's nationalisation and its impact on SME suppliers, the decline in late payments by large firms, and Insolvency Service director disqualifications. Reach her at aingham@cbmeg.co.uk.
