WhatsApp Starts Rolling Out Parent-Managed Accounts

WhatsApp announced today that it will soon roll out parent-managed accounts, which will let parents or guardians configure accounts for pre-teens with strict calling and messaging controls. The new privacy controls will allow parents to decide who can get in touch with their child on WhatsApp, which groups they can join, and review message requests.

To create a parent-managed account on WhatsApp, parents or guardians will need to register and verify their child’s phone number, confirm their age, and scan a QR code displayed on their child’s device to link their account. Parent-managed accounts are also protected by a parent PIN on the managed device.

By default, parent-managed accounts can only message with people saved in their contacts, and only parents can add a managed account to groups. “All personal conversations remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning no one—not even WhatsApp—can see or hear them,” the WhatsApp team emphasized today.

To message someone new, a child with a managed account will need to create a new contact, which parents will need to approve. Parents will also need to review and accept group invites sent to their child, and they will be notified when groups their child joined welcome new members.

Parent-managed accounts on WhatsApp will be rolling out gradually, and you can learn more information about how to get started here.