WhatsApp has announced it will roll out parent-managed accounts for children under the age of 13 over the coming months. The new feature allows parents or guardians to set up and control a WhatsApp account for their pre-teen, with restrictions on messaging and calling.
Parents will need to link their own WhatsApp account with their child’s device during setup. Once linked, the parent can manage who can contact the child, which groups they can join, and adjust privacy settings. The managed account remains tied to the parent’s account.
WhatsApp said the accounts come with strict default settings and parental controls gated by a PIN on the child’s device. The move follows feedback from parents who wanted a tailored experience for younger users.
The company emphasised that all conversations remain private and protected by end-to-end encryption, meaning neither WhatsApp nor third parties can access them. The feature will be introduced gradually in the coming months.
