Meta Launches Parent-Managed WhatsApp Accounts for Children Under 13

WhatsApp's parent company, Meta, has unveiled a 'parent-managed' account model for children. This development means that children under the age of 13 can now officially use WhatsApp.

Previously, WhatsApp required a minimum age of 13 to use the app. Now, the path has opened for children to use the app under the direct supervision and control of their guardians. Meta introduced this safer alternative based on expert advice, following observations that many children were using the app secretly.

Under this new feature, the child's account must be set up by the parent. The extent to which a child can message or communicate with others will depend entirely on the parent's management of the contact list.

To prevent contact with unknown individuals and to stop them from joining random groups, parents are given control over the privacy settings. The company has also implemented a parent PIN to keep the settings secure, ensuring that children cannot change the settings themselves.

However, even though parents can control the child's contact list, they will not be able to read the private messages sent or received by the children. This is because WhatsApp messages are secured by end-to-end encryption technology, meaning that neither third parties nor WhatsApp itself can read those messages, except for the sender and receiver.

The device used by the child will be linked to the parent's main account. Meta has stated that this feature will be available to users worldwide within the next few weeks.