WhatsApp Introduces Parent-Managed Accounts for Kids Under 13: Here’s What Will Change

WhatsApp has announced a new account type designed for younger users. The company says it will introduce parent-managed accounts that give parents and guardians more control over how pre-teen users interact on the messaging platform.

According to the Meta-owned service, the feature will begin rolling out over the coming months. The idea is to create a supervised environment for children under 13 who are starting to use messaging apps, while still allowing them to stay in touch with family members and trusted contacts.

WhatsApp says the feature was developed with input from families and safety experts as part of its effort to provide a more controlled experience for younger users.

A WhatsApp Account Designed For Younger Users

Parent-managed accounts are specifically meant for children below the age of 13. These accounts are set up and controlled by a parent or guardian and are linked to the adult’s WhatsApp account.

Unlike standard WhatsApp accounts, these versions come with stricter privacy settings and fewer features. The focus is mainly on basic communication such as private messaging and voice calls.

WhatsApp says this setup allows younger users to communicate with people they know while giving parents visibility over how the account is used. Parents can also monitor the groups their child joins.

Several Features Are Not Available

Some parts of the regular WhatsApp experience are intentionally removed from these accounts.

The company says parent-managed accounts will not support Status updates, Channels, or Meta AI features. Disappearing messages are also disabled in one-to-one chats.

Messages from unknown numbers are handled differently as well. They are placed in a message requests folder, which requires a parent PIN to access.

Parents will also receive alerts if their child adds a new contact or blocks or reports someone. The goal is to help parents stay aware of activity on the account without needing to constantly check the phone.

Even with these limitations, WhatsApp says conversations on parent-managed accounts will still be protected by the same end-to-end encryption used across the platform.

How Parents Can Set Up the Account

Parents who want to introduce their child to WhatsApp will see the option to create a parent-managed account during the registration process.

During setup, they need to enter the child’s date of birth. The process requires both the parent’s device and the child’s phone so the two accounts can be linked together.

WhatsApp says parents will also need to confirm they are adults. This may include verifying their identity through a selfie as part of the setup process.

Once the account is created, parents can manage the child’s privacy settings and communication permissions using the available parental control tools.

Feature Will Roll Out Over The Coming Months

WhatsApp says the new account type will begin rolling out globally in the coming months. The company notes that availability could vary depending on the region during the early stages of the rollout.

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