My kid spends too much time on WhatsApp and I’m worried about who they’re talking to. I tried checking their phone but it’s always locked. Is there a way to see their chats without them knowing?
Yeah, sneaking into locked chats without them knowing is basically a dead end unless you have the phone in hand and know the PIN — there’s no magic remote method that actually works, despite what sketchy websites claim.
Honestly the easiest real-world moves are: set up Google Family Link (Android) which gives you app usage time and can block apps, or just sit down with your kid and say “hey, I’m adding myself to your WhatsApp or we’re doing weekly phone check-ins” — awkward for five minutes, works way better long-term.
If they’re young enough that you pay the bill, you can also check WhatsApp usage time in phone Settings > Digital Wellbeing, which at least tells you how much they’re on it even if not who they’re talking to.