Messaging platform WhatsApp has introduced a new parent-managed account feature for pre-teens, allowing parents and guardians to create and supervise accounts for children under the age of 13. The move is aimed at helping families stay connected while giving parents stronger control over privacy, contacts, and interactions on the platform.
The feature allows younger users to send messages and make calls through WhatsApp, but with built-in parental supervision. According to the company, the rollout will begin in select regions and expand gradually in the coming months as feedback from families is collected.
What Are WhatsApp Parent-Managed Accounts?
The new parent-managed account system is designed specifically for children below 13 years of age, or below the minimum age required to use WhatsApp in certain countries.
To create a managed account, a parent or guardian must be at least 18 years old and have the latest version of WhatsApp installed on their device. Once the account is set up, it becomes linked to the parent’s WhatsApp account, allowing them to monitor and manage specific settings.
In some regions, app stores run by Apple and Google may automatically share a child’s age range with WhatsApp due to local legal requirements. This means the age verification may happen through the app store rather than manual input during setup.
If parents believe the age information is incorrect, they can review their device settings or check the help centres provided by Apple or Google.
Parental Controls and Safety Tools
The parent-managed system adds several safety features designed to give guardians more control over how their child uses the messaging platform.
Parents will be able to:
- Decide who can contact their child on WhatsApp
- Control which groups the child can join
- Review message requests from unknown contacts before they are accepted
- Manage privacy settings directly from their linked account
To prevent children from changing these settings, access to privacy controls on the child’s device is protected with a parent PIN. Only the parent or guardian who created the account can modify these controls.
This approach ensures that children can use WhatsApp to communicate while parents retain oversight of their interactions.
Privacy and End-to-End Encryption
Even with parental supervision features enabled, WhatsApp confirmed that messages and calls will remain protected with end-to-end encryption. This means conversations cannot be read or accessed by WhatsApp itself.
The company says the goal of the feature is not to monitor conversations but to help families manage digital communication safely while maintaining privacy.
As the feature expands globally, WhatsApp plans to refine the experience based on feedback from parents and young users.
How to Set Up a Parent-Managed WhatsApp Account for Pre-Teens
Setting up a managed account requires both the parent’s phone and the child’s device.
Step 1: Install WhatsApp on Your Child’s Phone
- Download WhatsApp Messenger from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store on your child’s device.
- Choose your preferred language and tap Agree and Continue.
- Tap More Options and select Create a parent-managed account.
- Register and verify your child’s phone number.
- Enter your child’s birthday and confirm their age.
- Tap Continue to link the account with a parent’s device.
Step 2: Link the Parent’s Phone
- Use your phone to scan the QR code shown on your child’s device.
- Tap the link that opens in WhatsApp.
- Select Agree and Continue.
- Verify that you are an adult.
- Create a 6-digit parent PIN to control your child’s privacy settings.
- Confirm the PIN and tap Next, then select Done.
Step 3: Finish Setup on the Child’s Device
- Enter the parent PIN on the child’s phone.
- Tap Continue.
- The managed account is now active. The child can add their name and profile photo.
A Step Toward Safer Messaging for Families
With digital communication becoming a daily part of children’s lives, WhatsApp’s parent-managed accounts aim to create a safer and more controlled environment for younger users. By combining parental controls with the platform’s existing encryption, the feature attempts to balance safety, supervision, and privacy.
As the rollout expands worldwide, the company expects more families to adopt the feature to manage how children interact on messaging platforms.