Parent-managed accounts to let U-13 kids use WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: WhatsApp has introduced accounts that parents can create and control for children under 13, with restrictions that limit usage mainly to messaging and calling, the company stated in a blog post.

"Parent-managed accounts allow pre-teens to communicate with their family and close friends on WhatsApp with parental supervision," the company said.

The move by the Meta-owned messaging platform marks a significant shift for the app, which earlier maintained a minimum age requirement of 13 in India, and higher in some regions.

Managed accounts come with built-in parental controls and several restrictions.

Users do not have access to features such as Meta AI, Channels, Status updates, Chat Lock, App Lock, linked devices, location sharing, view-once messages or disappearing messages in individual chats. WhatsApp also said ads would not be shown.

Privacy settings on these accounts are automatically restricted so that only saved contacts can see information such as profile photos or last-seen status, and only parents can change these settings.

By default, only saved contacts can send messages and group participation is also controlled by parents. Messages or group invites from unknown contacts go to a 'Requests' folder that requires parental approval.

The parental controls are protected by a 6-digit PIN that is required to make any setting changes.

To set up the account, parents must install WhatsApp on the child's phone and tap 'More options', and then select "Create a parent-managed account". After registering the child's phone number and confirming their age, the account must be linked to the parent's WhatsApp by scanning a QR code. The parent then verifies their identity and creates the PIN.

WhatsApp said the rollout of these accounts will happen gradually, and the feature will work on both Android and iPhone devices.