WhatsApp launches parent-managed accounts for pre-teens amid safety concerns

BRUSSELS: Meta Platforms-owned WhatsApp said on Wednesday (Mar 11) it would allow parents to create accounts for pre-teens, restricted to messaging and calling, amid rising global concerns about the impact of social media and chat apps on children.

A number of countries around the world are now seeking to follow Australia, which last year became the first country to adopt a social media ban for teenagers because of mental health worries.

Messaging apps have also triggered concerns following hacking incidents where users were persuaded to divulge security verification and pin codes, giving malicious actors access to personal accounts and group chats.

WhatsApp said the idea of parent-managed accounts came after feedback from parents, who wanted a messaging service tailored for under-13s.

"These accounts come with strict new default settings, parental controls and options for parents to guide their pre-teens' (under 13s) first messaging experiences," the messaging app said in a blog post.

Parents would need their phone and their child's phone to be side by side first, 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," WhatsApp said.

The new parental controls and settings are guarded 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 will remain private and protected with end-to-end encryption, which means no one - including WhatsApp - can see or hear them.