Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp has introduced parent-managed accounts for users under the age of 13, giving parents greater control over how children use the messaging platform.
The new feature, announced on Tuesday, allows parents or guardians to decide who can contact their children and which groups they are allowed to join, the company said in a blog post.
Under the new system, parents will also be able to review message requests from unknown contacts and manage privacy settings for the child’s account.
The controls are designed to limit younger users’ experience on WhatsApp primarily to messaging and voice calls, while restricting access to certain privacy options.
Once a parent-managed account is created, children will not be able to modify privacy settings themselves. Access to parental controls will require a PIN entered on the managed device, WhatsApp said.
To set up the feature, the child must be under 13 or below the minimum age required in their country, while the parent or guardian managing the account must be at least 18 years old.
WhatsApp said the feature will roll out gradually worldwide on devices running the latest versions of the app on Android and iPhone.
The announcement comes as governments across the world increase pressure on social media platforms to improve online safety protections for minors, amid rising concerns about social media addiction, cyberbullying and harmful content exposure.
