Is what3words Safe for Kids?
Age rating is set by App Store, not by Unstar. This page explains it and adds what parents report in reviews. Not affiliated with what3words Ltd..
What what3words's age rating means
what3words holds a family-friendly 4+ rating on the App Store. It is broadly appropriate, but a low age rating does not remove every risk: check whether it has chat, ads, or in-app purchases below.
What parents and users report about what3words
Users complain that the app has moved previously free features behind a paywall, particularly navigation integration with Google Maps and Waze. Many express frustration over intrusive ads, forced subscriptions, and unexpected charges. Several mention the app's decline from a useful, emergency-ready tool to a cluttered, money-driven service.
Summarized from 145 recent 1-3 star reviews. These are user reports, not verified claims.
How to keep your child safe with what3words
Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions. Set an age limit for apps, require Ask to Buy for purchases, and restrict or remove what3words if it is above your child's age.
Use Google Family Link to approve installs, set a Play Store content rating limit, require purchase approval, and block or uninstall what3words on your child's device.
what3words for kids: frequently asked questions
Is what3words safe for kids?
what3words carries a family-friendly official rating (4+) on the App Store. That makes it broadly suitable, but even family-rated apps can include chat, ads, or in-app purchases, so check the factors below.
What age rating does what3words have?
The App Store rates what3words as 4+. This is the store's own content rating, set from the app's features and content, not our opinion. Use it as the starting point for whether it fits your child's age.
Can my child use what3words safely?
If you decide to allow it, use device parental controls: Screen Time and Content & Privacy Restrictions on iPhone, or Family Link and Play Store parental controls on Android. Turn on purchase approval, set age-appropriate content limits, and keep the account under your family group so you can see activity.
How do I block or remove what3words from my child's phone?
On iPhone, open Settings, Screen Time, Content & Privacy Restrictions, then restrict or delete the app and block reinstalling it. On Android, open Family Link, select your child, find what3words and block or uninstall it. You can also set a store age limit so apps above your child's age cannot be installed.