Why is my pixel 3 gets off while playing whats app audio

[Android Central Question]

I got a brand new pixel 3 and while playing whats app audio if we place the hand above the front camera the screen gets off

 

[Mike Dee]

That's the proximity sensor which is supposed to turn the screen off when you hold it up to your ear to answer calls.

 

[Robisan]

That sounds kinda messy...

 

[Eggmundo]

Jadbeh.

 

[SteelGator]

Maybe its the audio. What kind of messages are you listening to???