Today, WhatsApp has announced a new feature called parent-managed accounts, designed to give parents and guardians greater control when younger users begin using the messaging platform. The update aims to create a safer messaging environment for pre-teens while preserving the app’s privacy protections.
Accounts Designed for Pre-Teens
Parent-managed accounts are primarily intended for children under the age of 13. These accounts are restricted to core features such as messaging and calling, helping parents maintain communication with their children while reducing exposure to broader social features.
Certain features available to regular users will be disabled for these accounts. This includes elements like channels, status updates, and other advanced tools that may not be appropriate for younger users. The company said the initiative was introduced after hearing feedback from parents who wanted a safer way to communicate with their children through the platform.
Parental Controls and Safety Features
To activate the feature, parents must link their own WhatsApp account to their child’s device during the setup process. Once connected, parents can control several aspects of the account. Parents will be able to approve new contacts, manage which groups the child can join, and review message requests from unknown users.
The system is protected by a parent-only PIN that allows guardians to manage privacy settings and account controls. Parents may also receive alerts about certain account activities, such as when contacts are added, blocked, or reported. Additional notifications can also be enabled for actions like joining groups or changing profile details.
Privacy Remains Protected
Despite the added parental oversight, WhatsApp emphasised that the privacy of conversations remains intact. Messages and calls on parent-managed accounts continue to be protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning neither WhatsApp nor parents can view the contents of private chats. The controls instead focus on account-level management rather than direct monitoring of conversations, allowing parents to guide how their children use the app without compromising private communication.
Gradual Rollout in the Coming Months
WhatsApp said the parent-managed account system will begin rolling out gradually to users in select regions before expanding more widely over the coming months. So keep an eye out for the upcoming software update, and stay tuned for more trending tech news at TechNave.com.
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