WhatsApp is preparing to launch an important update that aims to alleviate concerns for parents. This upcoming change will empower adults to implement specific controls on devices, preventing pre-teens from accessing certain features or participating in group chats without authorization.
Furthermore, parents or guardians will have the ability to determine who can contact the account, thereby preventing strangers from initiating conversations unexpectedly. Additionally, parents can monitor message requests from unknown contacts and adjust the account’s privacy settings.
WhatsApp stated, “WhatsApp is the trusted platform for family communication due to its simplicity, privacy, and reliability.” The company added, “With insights from families and experts, we are introducing new parent-managed accounts that enable parents or guardians to establish WhatsApp accounts for pre-teens, with enhanced controls to restrict their WhatsApp usage to messaging and calling.”
To set up this feature, parents will need both the phone intended for their family member and their own device to link the accounts. Once configured, these accounts will be under the control of the parent or guardian, who is the sole authority to access and modify privacy settings, ensuring a tailored family experience.
All personal conversations are safeguarded with end-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy and confidentiality. WhatsApp has announced that the update will be gradually deployed over the next few months.
“We anticipate feedback as we progressively introduce parent-managed accounts in the upcoming months, aiming to enhance WhatsApp as the safest and most secure platform for families to communicate.”