WhatsApp has launched parent-managed accounts designed for children under the age of 13, helping guardians better protect how younger users access the messaging platform.
The company said the new accounts will limit pre-teens to basic messaging and calling features. They will not receive adverts and will not have access to several functions available on standard accounts.
WhatsApp rates its service for users aged 13 and above on app stores. However, many younger children already use the app to stay in touch with their parents and family members.
The company said the new system was created after hearing from parents who wanted a safer way for their children to communicate on the platform.
“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.
To set up the account, a parent or guardian must have both devices present, their own phone and the child’s phone. The accounts are linked by scanning a QR code during the setup process.
Once connected, the parent controls the account. They can decide who the child can communicate with and which groups the account may join.
Parents will also receive alerts about certain activities. By default, they are notified when the child adds, blocks or reports a contact.
Other alerts are optional and these include when the child changes their name or profile picture, receives a new chat request, joins or leaves a group, or deletes a conversation or contact.
All parental management is protected by a six-digit PIN, which the parent can create and manage from their own device.
WhatsApp said the parent-managed accounts will not support several features currently available on the platform. Pre-teen users will not be able to access Meta AI, Channels or Status updates. They also cannot enable disappearing messages in one-to-one chats.
Despite the restrictions, the company said all conversations will remain private.
“All personal conversations remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning no one, not even WhatsApp, can see or hear them.”
The app will also provide warnings when children receive messages from people outside their contacts. These notices show whether the sender shares any groups with the user and which country the contact is messaging from.
In addition, images sent by unknown contacts will appear blurred by default. Users can also silence calls from unfamiliar numbers.
Message requests from people outside the child’s contact list will appear in a separate folder. Parents must unlock that folder with their PIN before deciding whether to approve the request.
The same rule applies to group invitations. Before allowing a child to join, the app shows details such as the number of group members and the group administrator.
WhatsApp said children will be notified when they reach the age required for a standard account. Parents will also have the option to delay the switch by up to 12 months.
The company has begun rolling out the feature in selected countries and plans to expand it gradually.
The update adds to safety tools introduced by Meta across its platforms in recent years, particularly for younger users on services such as Instagram and Facebook.
