WhatsApp to Launch Parental-Controlled Accounts for Kids Under 13, Parents Get Full Oversight

WhatsApp is set to launch a new “Parental-Managed Account” feature aimed at children under the age of 13, giving parents full oversight of their child’s account to ensure safer online interactions. The initiative reflects a growing emphasis on digital safety for younger users on messaging platforms.

Parental Control Over Chats and Contacts

The feature allows parents to monitor and manage who their child communicates with on WhatsApp. Parents can control which contacts are added, approve or restrict group memberships, and determine who can message their child. By linking children’s accounts to their parents’ accounts, WhatsApp aims to provide a controlled environment that reduces the risk of contact with strangers.

Restricted Features for Young Users

Children’s accounts will come with certain limitations. Reports indicate that features such as status updates, channels, and Meta AI-powered functions will be unavailable for accounts under parental supervision. These restrictions are designed to provide a secure and age-appropriate digital experience while limiting exposure to advanced features that may not be suitable for young users.

Monitoring Suspicious Messages

In addition to contact and group management, suspicious messages from unknown senders will be routed to a separate folder. Parents will be able to review these messages and block any contacts deemed unsafe. This feature aims to help parents intervene early in potentially risky interactions.

Gradual Global Rollout

WhatsApp plans to roll out the feature gradually across different regions. Initial testing will take place in selected countries, followed by a broader global release after successful evaluation. The platform expects this tool to empower parents with digital supervision while promoting responsible use of messaging services among children.

Experts highlight that children are increasingly active online from a young age, and tools like parental-managed accounts provide an additional layer of security, giving parents confidence that their children are using messaging apps safely.