Social media giant Meta has lowered the minimum age to use WhatsApp in the UK and EU. Critics have accused Meta of “putting shareholder profits first and children’s safety second”.

Meta has lowered the minimum age to use the popular messaging platform WhatsApp.

The move, which came into effect on Thursday, reduces the age limit from 16 down to 13 in the UK and EU.

It has been criticised by a number of campaign groups who have urged the company to reverse the decision.

Smartphone Free Childhood told Sky News that it was an example of “a tech giant putting shareholder profits first and children’s safety second”.