Meta Platforms’s messaging platform WhatsApp has introduced a new parent-managed account system for children under the age of 13, allowing families to supervise how young users communicate on the app.

The initiative aims to provide a safer digital environment for pre-teens while allowing them to stay connected with family and friends through basic messaging features.

Limited features for younger users

Under the new system, children will only have access to essential features such as messaging and voice calls. Certain optional features available to older users—such as Status updates and Channels—will remain restricted.

Advertisements will also be removed from these accounts.

Although WhatsApp is officially rated for users aged 13 and above, the company acknowledged that many younger children already use the app to communicate with family members. The new system allows parents to maintain oversight while ensuring safer usage.

How parent-managed accounts are set up

Setting up a supervised account requires both the parent’s and child’s devices. The process includes:

  • Installing WhatsApp on the child’s phone and selecting “Create a parent-managed account”
  • Entering the child’s date of birth to confirm they are under 13
  • Linking the accounts by scanning a QR code from the parent’s phone
  • Creating a six-digit parental PIN to secure privacy settings
  • Completing the setup on the child’s device using the PIN

This setup ensures that the account can only be activated with parental approval.

Safety features and parental alerts

The supervised accounts include multiple safety protections. Parents receive notifications when key actions occur, such as adding or blocking contacts, reporting users, or joining groups.

Additional alerts may also notify guardians about:

  • Profile updates
  • Chat requests
  • Group invitations and activity
  • Disappearing messages

To further enhance safety, images from unknown contacts appear blurred, and calls from unfamiliar numbers can be silenced.

Children using these accounts cannot access advanced features such as Meta AI, and disappearing messages cannot be enabled in one-on-one chats.

Balancing connectivity and safety

WhatsApp emphasised that all chats and calls will continue to be end-to-end encrypted, meaning neither WhatsApp nor Meta can read message content.

The platform said the new system aims to balance digital safety with communication, enabling children to stay connected while giving parents visibility and control.

Parents will also have the option to decide when their child’s account transitions to a regular account after turning 13. The transition can be delayed for up to 12 months.

Growing global focus on child online safety

The launch comes amid increasing global scrutiny of children’s access to social media and messaging platforms.

Countries including Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom are exploring stricter digital safety regulations to protect younger users online.

As smartphones become more common among younger age groups, technology companies are facing growing pressure to introduce stronger safeguards that protect children while allowing them to participate safely in digital communication.