WhatsApp has introduced parent-supervised accounts for users under the age of 13. These accounts will provide access to messaging and calling functionalities, specifically excluding targeted advertisements. This feature responds to feedback from parents, despite the app's general 13+ age rating on app stores.
These new accounts for users under 13 offer messaging and calling capabilities, notably without targeted advertisements.
Account Setup and Parental Controls
Meta details that parents or guardians must use both their device and the pre-teen's device to authenticate the new account via a QR code during setup. Once authenticated, parents can configure various activity alerts for the managed accounts.
Alert System
By default, parents will receive alerts when a pre-teen adds, blocks, or reports a contact. Optional activity alerts can also be enabled for a range of additional events, including:
- Changes to the pre-teen's name or profile picture.
- Receipt of new chat requests.
- Participation in groups (joining, creating, or leaving).
- Activation of disappearing messages within a group.
- Deletion of a chat or contact.
All these settings are secured by a six-digit PIN that parents can set and modify from their own device.
Feature Limitations and Safety Measures
Managed accounts do not include access to features such as Meta AI, Channels, or Status. Additionally, pre-teens cannot enable disappearing messages for one-on-one chats. WhatsApp confirms that all communications, including chats and calls, remain end-to-end encrypted.
Pre-teen Safety Features
To enhance safety for younger users, several key features have been implemented:
- Context Cards for Unknown Contacts: Pre-teens will see context cards for messages from unknown contacts, indicating shared groups and the sender's country.
- Silence Unknown Calls: Users have the option to silence calls from unknown numbers, reducing unwanted interactions.
- Blurred Images from Unknown Contacts: Images received from unknown contacts are automatically blurred, requiring conscious action to view.
- PIN-Protected Chat Requests: Chat requests from non-contacts are directed to a separate, PIN-protected folder, giving parents control over access.
- PIN-Protected Group Invites: Group invite links are also protected by a PIN, and comprehensive group information (members, admin) is provided before parental acceptance.
Account Transition and Rollout
As pre-teens age, they will receive a notification regarding the option to convert their account to a standard, unsupervised account. WhatsApp plans to introduce a feature allowing parents to delay this transition by 12 months.
The rollout of these new accounts is commencing in specific regions and is scheduled for gradual expansion over the coming months.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts by Meta to implement safety controls for younger users across its platforms, amidst increasing global scrutiny and potential age restrictions for social media access.