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WhatsApp has introduced parent-managed accounts allowing children under 13 to use the messaging app under supervision. Parents must verify the child’s number and link devices via QR code, gaining control over privacy settings and alerts. Pre-teen accounts allow only messaging and calls, exclude ads and features like Channels or Status, while chats remain end-to-end encrypted.

WhatsApp has launched parent-managed accounts for pre-teens, allowing children under 13 to use the messaging platform under direct parental supervision for the first time. The feature was a built in response to feedback from parents who said they wanted to introduce their pre-teens to WhatsApp and needed an experience tailored for under-13s. The announcement also comes as countries including Denmark, Germany, Spain, and the UK are moving to restrict social media access for users under a certain age.

How it works

Setting up a parent-managed account requires both the parent's and the child's devices to be present at the same time. The parent must register and verify the child's phone number, confirm the child's age, and scan a QR code on the child's device to link the two accounts. The parent can also set a 6-digit PIN, ensuring that only they can access and change message requests, privacy settings, and activity alerts from the managed device.

What do these pre-teen accounts restrict?