WhatsApp has introduced a new type of account designed for children under 13, allowing parents to manage their child’s communication and privacy settings directly. The parent-managed accounts will begin rolling out globally in the coming months, marking a significant move by Meta Platforms toward accommodating younger users within stricter safety parameters.
These accounts must be created and maintained by a parent or guardian, with verification confirming the adult’s identity. During setup, both devices are used to link the child’s account to the parent’s WhatsApp, and all parental settings are secured with a six-digit PIN. Parents can decide who can contact their child, what groups they can join, and access message requests from unknown users.
Certain features found in standard WhatsApp accounts are disabled for children, including Status updates, Channels, and Meta AI tools. Messaging functionality is limited to texts and voice calls, and safety features such as disappearing messages and Chat Lock are turned off to prevent hidden conversations. Despite these restrictions, all personal chats and calls remain protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring private communication between participants.
WhatsApp said the feature was developed following extensive parental feedback to support families who want their children to use the app responsibly. The update also arrives as global regulators tighten scrutiny on how social media platforms manage young users’ safety. Governments in several regions, including Australia and the European Union, are enforcing stricter age-verification standards, while Meta continues to face legal pressure in the United States over its handling of youth engagement.
The new managed accounts will remain under parental control until the child reaches the minimum age required by WhatsApp’s terms of service. At that point, the account can transition into a standard user profile, ending the parental oversight.
