WhatsApp expands safety features with parent-managed accounts for children under 13

WhatsApp is enhancing safety for its younger audience by introducing features tailored for children under the age of 13. The popular messaging platform is launching parent-managed accounts, which will allow guardians to monitor their pre-teens' activities while ensuring that messaging remains fully functional, private, and secured with end-to-end encryption. The update includes an array of parental controls, empowering parents with significant oversight of their child's app usage. With these new tools, parents can determine whom their child can communicate with, which groups they are allowed to join, and even evaluate message requests from unfamiliar users. This feature enables parents to manage who can interact with their child on the platform effectively. Additionally, WhatsApp has implemented a unique six-digit parent PIN that prevents children from altering account settings, thereby allowing parents to modify privacy and communication settings as needed. Importantly, despite these parental controls, conversations will continue to be end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that neither WhatsApp nor any third party can access the messages exchanged. The children’s accounts will focus solely on messaging and calling functionalities, designed to facilitate straightforward communication. Setting up a parent-managed account is simple: 1. Download WhatsApp from the Play Store or Apple App Store. 2. Open the app, go to More options, and select create a parent-managed account. 3. Enter your child’s phone number and date of birth. 4. Scan the QR code that appears on your child’s device using your phone. 5. Complete age verification on your device to confirm you are an adult. 6. Set up a six-digit parent PIN. 7. Use the parent PIN to finalize the setup on your child’s device. It’s important to note that the rollout of this feature will occur gradually and may not be accessible in all regions immediately. WhatsApp has yet to announce a specific timeline for the global availability of these parent-managed accounts, which means users in India and elsewhere might experience a delay of several weeks before they can utilize these new safety features.