WhatsApp is the trusted way families communicate because it’s simple, private, and reliable. With input from families and experts, WhatsApp is rolling out new parent-managed accounts that allow parents or guardians to set up WhatsApp for pre-teens, with new controls to limit their WhatsApp experience to messaging and calling.
To begin, parents will need the phone they have bought for the family member and their own device, side by side to link their accounts. Once set up, these accounts are controlled by the parent or guardian who will be able to decide who can contact the account and which groups they can join. In addition, parents can review message requests from unknown contacts and manage the account’s privacy settings.
The new parental controls and settings are gated by a parent PIN on the managed device. Only parents can access and change privacy settings, ensuring they are empowered to tailor their family’s experience. All personal conversations remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption, meaning no one, not even WhatsApp, can see or hear them.
WhatsApp is providing more tools and insights for parents, particularly around groups, which users can learn more about here.
WhatsApp is already an important part of family life—whether updating extended family on big milestones, keeping up with after-school plans, or just letting loved ones know someone is home safe. As WhatsApp gradually rolls out parent-managed accounts over the coming months, it looks forward to getting user feedback to continue building WhatsApp to provide the safest and most private way for families to connect.