WhatsApp has introduced a new type of account designed for children under the age of 13.
These parent-supervised accounts allow younger users to message and call family members while giving parents more control over how the app is used.
The company said these accounts will only include basic messaging and calling features. They will not have access to ads or other features available in regular accounts. WhatsApp normally rates its app for users aged 13 and older on both the App Store and Google Play. However, many younger children already use the platform to communicate with parents and family members, which led to the development of this new system.
To create a supervised account, a parent or guardian must set it up using both their own device and the child’s device. The setup process requires scanning a QR code to connect the two accounts. Once the account is linked, parents can monitor certain activities and receive alerts about what their child is doing on the app.
By default, parents will get notifications if the child adds, blocks, or reports a contact. They can also turn on additional activity alerts. These optional alerts include notifications if the child changes their profile name or picture, receives a new chat request, joins or leaves a group, creates a group, deletes a chat or contact, or if disappearing messages are turned on in a group.
All parental control settings are protected with a six-digit PIN that the parent creates and manages from their own device.
WhatsApp also said that these supervised accounts will not include certain features. Children using them will not have access to Meta AI tools, Channels, or Status updates. They also cannot enable disappearing messages in one-on-one chats.
Despite these restrictions, the company said that messages and calls will still remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption.
When a child receives a message request from someone who is not in their contacts, the app will show a warning card with additional information. This card may show if the sender shares any group with the child and which country the sender is from. Images from unknown contacts will be blurred by default to provide an extra layer of safety.
Chat requests for supervised accounts will appear in a separate folder that is locked behind the parent’s PIN. Group invitation links are also locked the same way. Before a parent approves a group invitation, the app will display details such as how many members are in the group and who the administrator is.
As the child grows older, WhatsApp will notify both the parent and the child that the account can be converted into a regular account. Parents will also have the option to delay this transition for up to 12 months.
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The feature is being rolled out in selected regions first and will expand to more countries in the coming months. The launch comes at a time when many governments around the world are considering or introducing restrictions on social media use for younger users. Countries such as Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom are currently discussing or implementing rules that limit social media access for children.
