Protect your parents from WhatsApp scams and online fraud:5 important settings and safety tips to enable today for better data protection

If you’re a 90s or early-2000s kid, this one is for you. Our parents have become quite comfortable using smartphones. They know how to make WhatsApp calls, send messages, share photos, and proudly upload Status updates. But when it comes to identifying online scams, fake messages, or fraud attempts, many of them are still unaware of the tricks used by cybercriminals.
These days, scammers are becoming smarter and are constantly finding new ways to steal personal information, WhatsApp accounts, and even money.
While today’s generation is more familiar with digital safety, many parents still use technology without fully understanding the risks. Here are five important WhatsApp safety tips every child should help their parents set up today. 1. Turn on Two-Step Verification This is one of the easiest and most important security features on WhatsApp.
Normally, WhatsApp sends an OTP when you log in on a new phone. But with Two-Step Verification, you’ll also need a six-digit PIN. Even if a scammer somehow gets the OTP, they won’t be able to access the account without this PIN. How to enable it: This extra layer of security can help protect your parents’ WhatsApp account from being hijacked. 2. Never Share OTP or Verification Codes One of the most common WhatsApp scams involves tricking people into sharing their OTP or verification code. Scammers may pretend to be: Always remind your parents: 3. Check Privacy Settings Many people don’t realise that WhatsApp allows users to control who can see their personal information. Take a few minutes to help your parents review their privacy settings, including their profile photo, Last Seen Online status, About section, and Status updates. It’s always safer to set these options to ‘My Contacts’ instead of ‘Everyone.’
This simple change helps prevent strangers from viewing their personal details and reduces the risk of misuse of their information. Also read: Tablet-like screen in Samsung Fold-8 series:Lighter than an iPhone, company’s foldable gets a fresh design approach

4. Teach Parents to Avoid Suspicious Links Fake prize messages, shopping offers, and unknown links are common on WhatsApp. Before clicking any link, remind your parents to ask: If the answer seems suspicious, it’s better to ignore the message. Sometimes suspicious links look like this: bit.ly/xYz534 5. Be Careful with WhatsApp Groups Family groups, school groups, and society groups are useful, but they can also expose personal information if you’re not careful. Tell your parents to: They should also change the WhatsApp setting that controls who can add them to groups, giving them more control over their privacy. Also read: Planning to buy new smartphone? Top 5 launches in August:From Google’s flagship Pixel 11 phone to budget-friendly Poco M8 Power

A few minutes today can prevent big problems tomorrow WhatsApp is one of the easiest ways to stay connected with loved ones, but it’s also a platform that scammers frequently target. If your parents mainly use WhatsApp for chatting, video calling, or sharing Status updates, take a few minutes to help them enable these safety features. These simple changes can protect their personal information, prevent account theft, and reduce the risk of online fraud.