WhatsApp is set to introduce a new update designed to alleviate concerns for parents by allowing them to apply specific controls to their children’s phones. This upcoming feature will prevent pre-teens from accessing certain functions and joining group chats without parental permission. Parents will have the ability to manage who can contact the account, ensuring that strangers cannot initiate conversations.
Moreover, parents will be able to review message requests from unknown contacts and adjust the account’s privacy settings. WhatsApp emphasized its commitment to being a trusted platform for family communication due to its simplicity, privacy, and reliability.
The new parent-managed accounts, developed in collaboration with families and experts, enable parents or guardians to set up WhatsApp for pre-teens with restrictions on messaging and calling activities. To initiate this feature, parents need to link their own device with the family member’s phone. Once linked, the parent or guardian will have control over the accounts, including access to privacy settings.
All personal conversations are safeguarded with end-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy and security. The update will be gradually rolled out in the following months, with WhatsApp seeking feedback to enhance the platform’s safety and privacy for families.