Meta Platforms has introduced new parent-managed accounts on WhatsApp designed for children under the age of 13, allowing them to use the messaging platform under strict parental supervision and with several features disabled.
The feature enables pre-teen users to send messages and make voice or video calls while parents retain control over contacts, privacy settings and group participation.
Under the new system, a child’s account must be linked to a parent or guardian’s device during setup. The process requires both devices to be present so that the parent can scan a QR code on the child’s phone to complete the connection. After linking, the parent manages the account settings.
According to Meta Platforms, parents can determine who is allowed to contact the child and approve the groups the account may join. They also receive notifications when new contacts are added or when message requests are received from unknown numbers.
“The new parental controls and settings are gated by a parent PIN on the managed device. Only parents can access and change privacy settings, ensuring they are empowered to tailor their family’s experience,” the company said in a statement.
Despite parental oversight, conversations on the child accounts remain protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning neither the company nor external parties can read the messages.
Several features available on standard accounts are not included in the parent-managed version. These accounts do not support Channels, Status updates, disappearing messages, Meta AI features, location sharing or view-once photos. Children using the managed accounts are limited primarily to messaging and calling.
The system also includes an age-transition feature. When a user reaches 13, the platform notifies the account holder and parent about the option to convert the profile into a regular WhatsApp account without parental restrictions.
The company said the introduction of parent-managed accounts is intended to address growing concerns about online safety for younger users and increasing regulatory pressure on technology platforms to improve protections for children.
The feature is being introduced gradually through updates to the WhatsApp application on Android and iOS devices, with global availability expected soon.
Meta Platforms has not announced a separate application for children, and the parent-managed accounts operate within the existing messaging platform.
