WhatsApp Introduces Parent-Managed Accounts for Children Under 13

Meta, the company behind WhatsApp, has announced a new feature that permits children under the age of 13 to use the messaging platform, but only through parent-managed accounts. Parents will create and supervise these accounts by linking them to their own, enabling them to control contact lists, group memberships, and privacy settings. These restricted accounts limit usage to messaging and calls, excluding features like Meta AI, statuses, channels, and disappearing messages in one-to-one chats. End-to-end encryption remains in place, meaning parents cannot view message contents, but they receive notifications for certain activities, such as group size increases or changes to disappearing message settings. The accounts stay linked until the child turns 13, with parents able to extend supervision for up to an additional 12 months. Meta states this responds to parental requests for safer access, as many under-13s already use the app informally. When underage users are detected, their accounts are blocked until linked to a parent. The company lacks specific data on current under-13 users but emphasizes parental responsibility for age appropriateness. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office expects compliance with children’s data protection standards and will monitor the rollout. This change aligns with global age rules requiring parental consent for under-13s’ data processing, amid broader scrutiny of social media’s impact on young users.