By Judith Lee,

WhatsApp Messenger is a cross-platform mobile messaging app which allows you to exchange messages without having to pay for text messaging. WhatsApp is available for iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Windows Phone and Nokia and yes, those phones can all message each other.

You might be wondering, “What does this have to do with me?”

Well, a few things. First of all, WhatsApp has a 2016 user base of one billion, so at the least it is an app you should know about. Second, WhatsApp is backed by the power of Facebook, which bought WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion.

Third, WhatsApp is extremely popular among teens, so if you are a parent of a teen, your child is likely using WhatsApp to send text messages, images, audio and video. Teenagers also like the group chatting, voice messages and location sharing.

Users of WhatsApp can share their location in real time over messages. They can also organize lists of contacts so that they can quickly send messages to lots of people in group chats.

To use WhatsApp you need a compatible smartphone or tablet with a simcard, an internet connection and a phone number. The app uses your phone number as its username, and your account is locked to the phone, although you can transfer your contacts over to new devices. The app is free to use for the first year, and costs $1 a year after that.

If you have family living outside the U.S., travel internationally or work with an international team, WhatsApp enables you to keep in touch without incurring the international charges associated with text messages.

Facebook added instant messaging to its Instagram photo sharing service, tried without success to buy messaging service Snapchat, and spent as much money buying WhatsApp as the market value of American corporate giants like Gap, Blackstone or Harley Davidson.

Is the valuation worth it? I have no idea, but would note that the sheer number of users is compelling. I expect that WhatsApp will continue to be worth watching.

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Judith Lee is a marketing and communications professional who focuses on social media and email marketing based in Atglen. She is a SCORE Volunteer and the Chair-Elect of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 610-368-2058 or via email at judithlee@epix.net.