WhatsApp Launches Supervised Accounts for Kids Under 13

WhatsApp, the messaging app owned by Meta Platforms, announced on Wednesday a new feature allowing parents to create supervised accounts for children under 13, limiting access to basic messaging and calling functions amid growing international scrutiny over social media's effects on young users.

The update responds to parental feedback seeking a secure way to communicate with preteens who have their own mobile devices, according to WhatsApp. These accounts exclude features such as Meta AI, Channels, Status updates, and most group chats, while also blocking targeted advertisements. All conversations and calls remain protected by end-to-end encryption, ensuring privacy from both the company and third parties.

To set up an account, parents must use both their device and the child's phone simultaneously, authenticating the link through a QR code. Once established, the parent or guardian controls key settings, including who can contact the account and which groups the child may join. Message requests from unknown contacts are routed to a separate folder accessible only via a six-digit PIN set by the parent. Parents can also review these requests, view group details like member count...