WhatsApp has introduced parent-managed accounts for users under the age of 13. The new feature allows children to send messages and make calls while giving parents strong oversight and control over their activities. Reports Techcrunch.com.
Parents must set up the account using both their own device and the child's device by scanning a QR code. They can set a six-digit PIN to protect settings and decide who their child can contact. By default parents receive alerts when the child adds blocks or reports contacts and can enable extra notifications for other actions like changing profile pictures or joining groups.
These supervised accounts do not show ads and block access to features such as Meta AI Channels and Status updates. Children cannot enable disappearing messages in one-to-one chats although all communication remains end-to-end encrypted. Chat requests from unknown people go into a separate folder protected by the parent PIN and images from strangers appear blurred.
When children reach the right age they will be notified that their account can become a regular one. Parents will have an option to delay this change for up to 12 months. The rollout has started in selected countries and will expand gradually over the coming months.
The move comes after feedback from parents who wanted a safer way for their pre-teens to use WhatsApp. It also fits with growing efforts in many countries to protect younger users online.
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