WhatsApp Parental Controls: Meta Introduces Parent-Managed Accounts for Kids Under 13
Meta Platforms launches WhatsApp parental controls with parent-managed accounts for kids under 13, offering safer messaging, privacy settings, and child protection tools
WhatsApp introduces parent-managed accounts for pre-teens, giving families more control over messaging access as concerns about children’s online safety continue to grow.
WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, has introduced parent-managed accounts for the popular messaging service. This exclusive feature lets guardians and parents set up WhatsApp accounts for kids under 13.
The feature adds parental controls and a default safety setup to limit the experience to messaging and calling while giving parents mistake of their child’s account actions.
A number of countries all over the world are now looking to follow Australia. This country has become the first country to adopt a social media ban for teenagers due to mental health issues.
Concerns over messaging apps have grown following hacking cases where users were persuaded to disclose verification and PIN codes. It allows hackers to take control of personal accounts as well as group chats.
WhatsApp said the idea of parent-managed accounts came after feedback from parents, who wished for a messaging service customised for under-13s.
WhatsApp shared in a blog post, “These accounts come with strict new default settings, parental controls and options for parents to guide their pre-teens’ (under 13s) first messaging experiences”
The company also added, “Once set up, these accounts are controlled by the parent or guardian who will be able to decide who can contact the account and which groups they can join. In addition, parents can review message requests from unknown contacts and manage the account’s privacy settings”.
The feature is hoped to roll out gradually across areas, with more safeguards and updates planned as the platform collects feedback directly from the families and safety experts. Meta says the move is part of its broader endeavour. It is about to make the online communication secure for the younger users and even keeps the parental involvement.
