Phone with only whatsapp

Vitor

spile said:

As others as others have said, attempting to restrict access to technology with teenagers is a fool’s errand. A more effective approach is to engage with them and agree an appropriate “contract“.

Yep, they'll just 'root' an Android phone which will bypass any controls. iOS is harder to break.

MX5huggy

The minimum age to use WhatsApp Officially is 13 cut from the ridiculous 16 only in April. 

So you desired out come of having rules is immediately breaking a rule. 

Family setup on iPhone is fairly good they have to ask to install any app it come through as a message on my phone, theoretically they could take my phone and authorise it. Once an app has been authorised I’m not aware you can deauthorise it. 

chilswelluk

flaneurs_lobster said:

This device doesn't exist. If it did exist your kids would find a way to hack round the restrictions.

What about a homemade phone?  A linux operating system coupled to a modem.  You should be able to custom lock that down.  I have seen a few homemade linux based phones using things like raspberry pi. 

Neil_Jones

Is What'sapp available for Linux?

Officially no, and that makes the web version the only viable solution - all the other workrounds seem to be bodges.

You can install Android on a Pi, though there are copious caveats to it.

Plus of course the Pi on its own is significantly chunkier that most mobile phones, not to mention things like a power supply (best use can I see for is about 24hrs (or less with the screen)

I think its a non-starter, a homemade phone, to give to a kid, it'll just go unused and probably accidentally "lost".