WhatsApp Rolls Out Parent-Controlled Accounts for Children Under 13

New Delhi, Mar 12: Meta-owned WhatsApp has introduced a new “parent-managed” account system that will allow children under the age of 13 to use the messaging platform under strict parental supervision.

The move marks a shift in WhatsApp’s policy, which has historically required users to be at least 13 years old to access the service in most regions.

Announcing the update in a blog post, WhatsApp said the new feature has been developed with input from families and experts and is designed to give parents greater control over how pre-teens use the platform.

“With input from families and experts, we’re rolling out new parent-managed accounts that allow parents or guardians to set up WhatsApp for pre-teens, with new controls to limit their WhatsApp experience to messaging and calling,” the company said.

Under the system, parents will be able to manage their child’s contact list and control privacy settings. However, WhatsApp said the content of messages will remain protected through end-to-end encryption.

The new controls will be secured with a parent PIN on the managed device, ensuring that only parents or guardians can access or modify the privacy settings.

The feature is being rolled out in phases and will gradually become available to users. (Agencies)