WhatsApp is set to introduce a significant update aimed at alleviating concerns for parents. The upcoming feature will enable adults to implement specific controls on devices, preventing pre-teens from accessing certain functions or participating in group chats without approval.
Parents or guardians will have the ability to determine who can interact with the account, safeguarding against unsolicited messages from strangers. Furthermore, they can review message requests from unknown contacts and manage the account’s privacy settings.
WhatsApp emphasized its status as a trusted platform for family communication due to its simplicity, privacy, and reliability. The company stated that the new parent-managed accounts, developed with input from families and experts, will enable parents or guardians to establish WhatsApp for pre-teens, with controls limiting their usage to messaging and calling.
To initiate the setup process, parents will need both the family member’s phone and their own device to link the accounts. Once configured, the accounts will be under the parent or guardian’s supervision. Only parents can access and modify privacy settings, ensuring customization of the family’s WhatsApp experience.
All personal conversations are kept private and secure with end-to-end encryption, ensuring confidentiality even from WhatsApp. The update will be gradually rolled out in the following months, with WhatsApp seeking feedback to enhance the platform’s safety and privacy for family connections.