WhatsApp Introduces Parental Controls to Manage Accounts of Children Under 13

Meta Platforms-owned messaging platform WhatsApp has introduced a new “Parent Managed Account” feature aimed at improving online safety for children under the age of 13.

According to the company, the feature will allow parents to supervise and control their children’s WhatsApp accounts, ensuring a safer messaging environment for younger users.

Under the new system, child accounts will only have access to basic messaging and calling features, while several other functions will remain restricted by default. The company said stricter privacy settings will automatically apply to these accounts, giving parents greater oversight.

Parents will be able to decide who can contact their children, which groups they can join, and adjust various privacy settings directly from their own devices.

Despite the added controls, the platform said conversations will remain protected through end-to-end encryption, ensuring that message content remains private.

However, child accounts will not have access to features such as Meta AI, Channels, or Status updates, limiting exposure to broader platform content.

To activate the feature, both the parent’s device and the child’s device must be linked using a QR code, allowing parents to manage the account after connection.

WhatsApp added that once a child turns 13, parents will receive a notification offering the option to convert the managed account into a standard account.

The company said the feature will roll out to users globally in the coming months, as part of broader efforts to strengthen child safety across its platforms.