WhatsApp has rolled out a new parent-managed account feature designed specifically for children under the age of 13, as the messaging platform steps up efforts to improve online safety for younger users.
The new account type allows pre-teens to access only core messaging and voice calling functions, while restricting exposure to advertising and advanced features available on standard WhatsApp accounts. The move acknowledges the reality that many children already use the platform to communicate with parents and close family, despite the app being officially rated for users aged 13 and above.
Brandspur Brand News reports that the parent-managed system was developed in response to growing concerns from guardians seeking a safer and more controlled way for their children to stay connected. Under the new setup, parents or guardians must link their own device with the child’s phone during account creation by scanning a QR code, ensuring direct oversight from the outset.
Once activated, parents gain control over key communication settings, including who the child can message and which groups the account is allowed to join. Guardians are automatically notified when a child adds, blocks, or reports a contact, while optional alerts can be enabled for profile changes, new chat requests, group activity, or deleted conversations. All parental controls are secured with a six-digit PIN managed exclusively from the parent’s device.
The accounts come with several built-in restrictions. Children using parent-managed profiles will not have access to Meta AI tools, Channels, Status updates, or disappearing messages in one-to-one chats. However, WhatsApp has emphasised that all conversations remain protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning neither the company nor third parties can access private messages or calls.
Additional safeguards are included to limit interaction with unknown contacts. Messages from numbers outside a child’s contact list are placed in a separate request folder that requires parental approval. Images from unfamiliar senders appear blurred by default, and calls from unknown numbers can be silenced automatically. Group invitations also require parental confirmation, with details such as group size and administrator information displayed before approval.
WhatsApp said children will receive notifications when they reach the age required for a standard account, while parents retain the option to delay the transition for up to 12 months. The feature is currently being rolled out in selected countries, with a broader global expansion planned in phases.
The update adds to a wider push by parent company Meta to introduce stronger safety tools for younger users across its platforms, as regulators and families continue to demand greater accountability around child protection in digital spaces.
