WhatsApp has rolled out a new feature designed specifically for children under the age of 13, introducing parent-managed accounts aimed at creating a safer messaging environment. Announced on Wednesday, these accounts are limited to core functions like messaging and calling, and will not display advertisements.
Although WhatsApp is officially rated for users aged 13 and above on app marketplaces, the platform acknowledged that younger users often rely on it to stay connected with their families. The company said it developed this feature in response to direct input from parents seeking safer communication options for their children.
Setting up a supervised account requires both the parent’s and the child’s devices. Authentication is completed by scanning a QR code, ensuring parental involvement from the start. During setup, guardians can enable activity alerts that notify them about key actions such as adding, blocking, or reporting contacts. Additional optional alerts can track changes like profile updates, new chat requests, group activity, disappearing message settings in groups, and deletion of chats or contacts. All these controls are secured with a six-digit PIN, which parents can manage from their own device.
“We’ve heard from parents, who have bought mobile phones for their pre-teens, that they want to message them on WhatsApp. Parent-managed accounts are specifically designed to give additional control over settings and communications for this group,” the company said in a Q&A page.
These supervised accounts do not include access to features such as Meta AI, Channels, or Status updates. They also restrict the use of disappearing messages in one-on-one chats. Despite these limitations, WhatsApp confirmed that all messages and calls remain end-to-end encrypted, preserving user privacy.
To enhance safety, pre-teen users will receive alerts when contacted by unknown numbers. These notifications provide additional context, including shared groups and the country of origin of the sender. Users also have the option to silence calls from unknown contacts, and images sent by unfamiliar numbers are blurred by default.
Incoming chat requests are placed in a separate folder that is locked with the parent’s PIN. Similarly, group invitation links require parental approval and provide details such as group size and administrator information before access is granted.
As children grow older, WhatsApp will notify them when they become eligible to switch to a regular account. Parents, however, will have the option to delay this transition by up to one year.
The feature is initially being introduced in select regions, with plans for a broader rollout in the coming months. This move aligns with Meta’s ongoing efforts to enhance online safety for younger users across its platforms, including Instagram and Facebook. It also comes amid increasing global discussions around restricting social media access for minors, with countries like Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom exploring stricter regulations.
